As spring approaches, we look forward to blooming begonias and varying vegetables in our gardens. Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. (FCCAA) supports multiple gardens here in Fayette County to involve community members in growing fresh produce. In 2021, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund grant to support FCCAA’s gardening efforts.
“Through our grant we were able to provide 60 gardeners with tools of their own to use while gardening, such as hand tillers, shovels, and gloves,” said FCCAA’s Rita Masi. They worked on raised beds in Uniontown, Lemont Furnace, and Connellsville.
FCCAA partners with organizations such as East End United Community Center, and provided materials and tools for a rain water collection barrel to be used at the gardens across the street from the Center. They also provided water hoses to some sites, adding to the necessary tools to keep these gardens going for multiple seasons.
“The experiences throughout the spring, summer and early fall were firsts for many of the participants and they are looking forward to the 2022 growing season. Many have shared their desire to return and help in these beds again,” said Masi. “But we feel the greatest accomplishment of this grant is the community-building and positive changes in mental health. The gentlemen who worked in the gardens [at FCCAA’s permanent housing sites] loved doing this and took such pride in their achievements,” she explained.
In addition to community garden projects, FCCAA addresses nutrition through the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education Program, the Republic Food Enterprise Center (RFEC), the FCCAA Food Bank, and more. CFFC is happy to support organizations and programs, like these, that are building a stronger Fayette.
Photo submitted by FCCAA
