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Westside communities receive garden grants
During Earth Day celebrations at Franklin Park Conservatory, on April 23, the Franklin County commissioners and Mayor Michael Coleman selected five Westside organizations to receive support for community gardening projects this spring. Eighty-three applications were submitted to the grant program established by Coleman and the commissioners. These organizations included the Hilltop Christian Community Development Corporation, Highland West Neighbors Association, Glenwood United Methodist Church, Brown Road Community Church, and Concordia Lutheran Church in Lincoln Village. “These gardens are beautifying our community while simultaneously providing access to fresh, local foods,” Coleman said. “The support they are receiving is needed and well deserved.” “Each winning garden brings something different to their local community,” Commissioner Marilyn Brown said. “These funds will be used to create new community gardens and to expand existing ones. Most importantly, this investment means that more people throughout Franklin County will have access to fresh and nutritious foods.” Of the 83 requests received, 60 awards were made. Awards included funding, donations compliments of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, access to educational programming through the Franklin Park Conservatory or a combination thereof. “Community gardening enriches lives and strengthens neighborhoods. Gardening provides exercise and relaxation. The nutritious foods combat obesity and other adverse health conditions caused by deficient diets. By sharing work, time together, and surplus foods, friendships are built, communities are strengthened, and family budgets are stretched a little bit further,” Commissioner Paula Brooks said. “These grant funded community gardens do more than just grow fresh produce,” Commissioner John O’Grady said. “They are creating sustainable food sources that will educate and inspire our community for years to come.”
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