Published November 26, 2014 17:56
Source http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/headliner/Dollars-used-to-grow-food-nurture-skills-283860431.html
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg are turning corporate donations, including those made by Shelmerdine Garden Centre, into practical, hands-on gardening, marketing and food preparation skills.
Nicole Bent, co-owner of Shelmerdine Garden Centre, located at 7800 Roblin Blvd. in the RM of Headingley, said, for the last four years, the company has donated between $8,000 and $10,000 annually to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg.
"They have a really good reputation and are well-organized," Bent said.
The majority of the money raised comes from fees charged at the garden centre’s Halloween and Christmas events for children and families. These include a hay maze and photos with Santa.
Bent said Shelmerdine’s donations are directed toward the organization’s Youth for Eco-Action program.
"We also do a lot of in-kind donations to that program," she said.
Boys and Girls Club director of community development Heather Black said the Eco-Action program includes garden preparation, planting, tending and harvesting as well as marketing the produce and using some of the fresh herbs and vegetables to prepare meals that the young participants share with guests.
"The program teaches them about food security, respect for the environment, life skills and sustainability," she said. "They’re also learning some entrepreneurial and culinary skills."
Black said a university student is hired each spring as program co-ordinator, and this person runs the program with four hired interns, who are usually high school students. Last summer, they oversaw five garden sites at Winnipeg’s Gilbert Park Housing Development, Norquay, Dufferin and Sister MacNamara Schools and one site located across from Freight House Recreation and Leisure Centre at 200 Isabel St. As well, the Boys and Girls Clubs partners with other youth-serving groups such as the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba and runs workshops on topics like container gardening and composting.
She estimates that about 300 children and youth were involved in the Eco-Action program last spring and summer.
Without donations from companies like Shelmerdine, Black said the program couldn’t be offered.
"They’ve just been such a great supporter of our program," Black said of Shelmerdine. "They’ve been very instrumental and will assist us with the resources we need."