Organizing a Better Salem

Some dates to put on your calendar for community gardens:

We have entered the rainy and blustery season, and our time is now devoted to harvesting the last of the crops, putting our gardens to bed, resting and reflecting. In this process, we are overwhelmed with a humble sense that we could not have grown the program without all of you, your thoughts and your passion for community gardens. So thank you! We are on the right path to creating healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities!!!

Below you will find some current hands-on projects that need your support and participation:

First Fall Gardens Program Meeting: Thursday, November 12th, 2009 (3:30-7 pm)

We are in the process of planning a community gardens meeting schedule, with the intention of bringing key garden volunteers into a newly developed Head Start to Garden program. To accomplish this, we are scheduling the first fall community gardens meeting on the same day as our next Head Start to Garden meeting, which is set for Thursday, November 12th from 3:30-5pm at Community Action’s main office (2475 Center St. NE). We will flow from the nitty-gritty of the Head Start to Garden program into some broader issues and focus, with the broader discussion happening over a potluck dinner. You are welcome to come just for the potluck, which will start after 5pm.

And then…

IGNITE SALEM – Thursday, November 12th, 2009 (7:45-10pm) @ Northern Lights TheaterPub

On this same night, I will be presenting a 7 minute, 20 slide power-point presentation on how we as a community can support the youth of Salem-Keizer in planting the seeds of peace, healing, forgiveness and food security. This will be one of 14 creative/techie presentations. For more info, check here: http://ignitesalem.com

Finally…

FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY 2009: 11/21/09 (9-noon) in the SE Salem Neighborhood

On Saturday, November 21st, community partners are coming together to facilitate the ongoing tradition of raking leaves throughout the SE Salem (roughly between 17th and 25th----State and Mission). This is a project that Wayne Crowder of Salem Leadership Foundation began and is now passing it off to the community, and many partners are coming together, to LEAF IT TOGETHER, including Hands On Mid Willamette Valley, City of Salem, City of Salem, SESNA, Willamette University and more. We will be meeting on the 21st at Capital Park Wesleyan Church/SE Salem Community Center at 9am to begin this project, with an aim to hit the houses of seniors and people in need, to connect with neighbors, etc., etc., etc, and we need your help! Come with your rake in hand, gloves on and prepared to work as a team to build and revitalize community.

And that’s all she wrote for now folks. Thank you, and please feel free to reply with any questions. Marion Polk Food Share is close to launching a new website, and the gardens will have a blog, therefore that will be the new way of getting updates to you.

Sincerely,

Jordan Blake
Gardens Project Manager
Marion Polk Food Share
Imagine…NO Hunger

P.S.

Here are some “unofficial” stats from this 2009 season:

• Garden produce grown and shared: 59,815 pounds
• Garden volunteer hours: Coming close to 5000 hours
• Number of youth involved in garden projects: 400
• Number of low/moderate income volunteers: 180
• Value of in-kind donations: $12,000

P.P.S. Check out last month’s Living Culture (www.livingcultureonline.com). The Food Share Sustainable Community Gardens Program is highlighted in one of the episodes.