Every week this summer, a group of dedicated young professionals (YP’s they call themselves) descends on the garden space at Union Mission’s Brookside
Campus in Kanawha City. These eager and energetic 20 to 40 year-olds share their time and their talents to help grow food for people in need.
Rachel Sallade’, one of the YP’s organizers and trained dietician, explains who their group is and why they desire to help the mission.
“The YP’s formed about 2 years ago at Bible Center Church. We are a group of 20 to 40 year olds, most of us without children, that want to not only hang out and spend time together at social events but work as a team on community projects. We also gather weekly at Bible Center Church for separate Men’s and Women’s Bible studies Monday evenings at 6:30pm,” Rachel explained. “We had just finished up a project with Manna Meal and were looking for another community opportunity. The Union Mission garden project was introduced to us and seemed like a logical fit.”
Rachel and others in the group are trained dieticians, others have garden experience, while some others are counselors and social workers. A project which provides healthy food for people in need really fit their skill set.
“While many of us see a direct fit to this project, some in our group have no experience with gardening but are eager to learn. As a group, we just love spending time together regardless of what we are doing,” Sallade’ said.
The group arrived last month to create an in ground garden bed planted in rows (market garden style). They planted a variety of Tomatoes, basil, squash, sugar snap peas, green beans, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, and other vegetables. Each week a team stops by to water and weed or tend to other garden needs.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Additional folks have called and have volunteered to help.
A Capitol Market vendor donated some starter plants to help expand the garden. Marshall University Nutrition Education Program (MUNEP) stepped in to provide plants and gardening supplies.
Rachel is employed by MUNEP and was excited about them pairing with Union Mission.
“Our mission at the NEP is to promote healthy eating and physical activity by creating opportunities for people to learn and participate in these goals. We primarily focus on elementary age children but we also work with food pantries, community groups, and other organizations that share our goals.” Sallade’ explained.
Rachel described her personal goals and desired outcome for the garden project, “I have seen first hand how unfair our food system is. Kids want to eat veggies but can’t get access to them because their parents can’t afford them, don’t know how to grow them, or don’t have the knowledge to prepare them. Access has to improve. General knowledge has to improve. Union Mission is an ideal urban garden example and can be a test for others in the community to emulate.” She continued, “As a Christian, God calls us to feed the hungry. What better way to feed the hungry then to grow food from God’s creation? Seeing it through from seed to table is so satisfying. You witness the majesty of God in every plant you nurture.”
When asked if more people could help the YP’s manage the garden and why people should consider volunteering with Union Mission, Sallade’ explained, “Absolutely! We would love anyone who wants to help to show up. We meet at the garden on Wednesday evening at 6:30pm, weather permitting, to work. As for volunteering, we all are guilty, at times, of putting our blinders on about hunger in our community. This is one of those projects that brings about awareness. Picture how you feel when you skip a meal – how bad you feel. Imagine people that feel that way all the time. Working with Union Mission is vital because they are helping reach those people that are hungry and in need of access to food.”
If you would like more information about our garden project or would like to help, contact Joyce at Union Mission by calling 304.925.0644.
If you would like to help fund the harvesting and processing needs of the garden, visit unionmission.com and click on the give now button and designate any amount to the Union Mission Sustainable Agriculture Program. Lastly, if you would like to know more about Marshall University’s Nutrition Education Program, click here.
