The Gannon Goodwill Garden hosted an open house event Wednesday at its facility where students, staff, faculty and community members toured the garden and learned about the work done by the organization.
The garden was started in 2011 and is now located behind West Hall on West Seventh and Chestnut streets.
The Goodwill Garden is a site for the AmeriCorps VISTA, which is an organization that works toward eradicating poverty through multiple avenues. At a local level, the garden’s goal is to provide fresh produce and educational information about sustainability and healthy eating for the Erie community.
In addition, the garden also provides an opportunity for Gannon students to collect research and complete applicable projects.
With a poverty rate in Erie of 29.2 percent and limited accessibility to grocery stores because of distance and transportation, Erie community gardens are a very important resource for the community.
During GIVE Day on Saturday, some Gannon students will be helping the garden expand by making room for more vegetable beds and berry bushes.
In addition to expanding the garden, the Goodwill Garden program with be continuing its community outreach programs with monthly workshops. Workshops include topics such as healthy eating on a budget, growing more with small spaces and sustainability.
Gannon Goodwill Garden Coordinator Leann Krysiak believes that the key to the garden’s success is in its balance.
“It’s important for the Garden to expand physically, but equally important is the outreach to the community,” Krysiak said.
The Goodwill Garden is also looking to expand in its volunteers as well. Volunteers are needed for garden maintenance, donation drop offs at St. Patrick’s Parish and garden watering on weekends.
Students interested in volunteering are encouraged to “Like” the Gannon Goodwill Garden on Facebook or to contact Krysiak at [email protected].
OLIVIA BURGER
