WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Construction has been completed on a greenhouse donated to the Salvation Army Red Shield Community Garden and Urban Farm in Williamsport.
Over the years, the community garden, located on Park Avenue adjacent to the Williamsport YMCA, has grown from 8,000 square feet to more than 40,000 square feet, with raised beds, teaching gardens, crop rows, sanctuary gardens, and more. What started as a plot of mostly raised planter boxes that could be rented during the growing season has evolved into a small urban farm growing thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to feed the community.
The latest addition is a greenhouse. This has been made possible through generous and, to some, unlikely, donations. The purchase was made possible through a $4,000 donation from men currently incarcerated at SCI Cole Township. Construction was made possible through sweat equity donations from members of UPMC Williamsport's grounds staff.
Donations make dreams come true
More than 400 members of SCI Cole Township's two charities raise money internally through fundraisers and events. They donate the funds to various outside charities. To date, they have donated more than $200,000 to support their chosen causes. The organization, called LifeLine Association and Triumph, focuses on the impact of proactively supporting youth programs, food banks, medical services, emergency services, and more.
“This project would not have been possible without the leadership and incredible ground staff at UPMC, as well as the support of SCI Coal Township’s Lifeline Group and Triumph Group,” said Laura Templeton, director of public affairs for the Salvation Army Williamsport Corps. . “These partnerships have been truly amazing!”
Two employees from the UPMC facility built the greenhouse, and the project was completed on Friday.
“We are truly touched by the donations from people within SCI Cole Township,” said UPMC Williamsport Foreman Craig Hoyt. Hoyt said he didn't know prison organizations like Lifeline or Triumph existed. “And I'm the father of his two children. I couldn't imagine not having enough to eat. This garden will make a huge difference to local families,” he said.
Templeton pointed to additional donations. “AmeriHealth Caritas has also been a generous supporter of this garden since its inception. Earlier this week, AmeriHealth’s Dave Bellomo donated $500 for seeds and plants to propagate vegetables in the greenhouse and urban farm portion of the garden. The produce will be donated to the local community throughout the summer and fall,” she said.
summer events
Templeton said the Salvation Army plans to hold at least three youth activity days this summer that are free and open to the public. Activities will include games and crafts, as well as hands-on opportunities to learn more about gardening and how greenhouses work. The date and time are expected to be announced in May, as the organizers are still in the planning stages.
“In the meantime,'' said Templeton, “I'm sure Sid [Furst] We are happy to offer tours to anyone who would like to see the Salvation Army's community garden and urban farm, including our new greenhouse. Admission fees are quite reasonable. Just pull a few handfuls of weeds or pick up a watering can,” she joked.
(All kidding aside, The Salvation Army's community gardens and urban farms rely on volunteers who enjoy getting their hands dirty. Interested? Stop by the gardens or visit our Facebook page.) New Scroll down for the greenhouse gallery.
Red Shield Community Garden & Urban Farm’s new greenhouse: photo gallery