UKIAH—The Gardens Project response to the current pandemic is modeled after the Victory Garden Movement of WWI and WWII, when citizens worldwide planted seeds for hope and victory at a time when food supplies were scarce and the future was unpredictable. Gardening is resurging in popularity as shoppers face empty shelves at the supermarket and uncertainty looms over the future of the global, industrialized food chain.
NCO Gardens Project is a program of North Coast Opportunities Inc., (NCO) and is led by program manager Sarah Marshall and program coordinator Lucy Kramer with support from AmeriCorps VISTA service members Maddi Cheek and Michelle Hablitzel. “We know the work we do is vital to the community, but now the importance of your local garden is being recognized globally,” says Marshall.
“We at Gardens Project are so inspired by people cultivating new gardens, expanding existing gardens, sharing produce, and creatively planning for the future,” notes Kramer. To ensure gardeners can continue to use their community garden and access fresh, nutrient dense, organic produce, Gardens Project staff published a protocol for safe garden use in English and Spanish. Gardeners are practicing social distancing, disinfecting all tools and shared surfaces, and staying home when feeling unwell.
Gardeners and their families not only enjoy improved food security, but fresh vegetables and herbs strengthen the body’s immune system. Community Gardeners overwhelmingly report that spending time with their hands in the soil and seeing their fellow gardeners from a distance eases anxiety and depression, afflictions that many are experiencing in isolation.
To find the most up to date information on the Gardens Project response to COVID-19 or to be included in an upcoming webinar on establishing a community garden, visit NCO Gardens Project on Facebook or email the team at gardens@ncoinc.org with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Gardens Project seeks to empower community, one garden at a time. Gardens Project collaborates with local government, private landowners, and other non-profits in Lake and Mendocino Counties to identify and lease land in low-income neighborhoods to become food-producing community gardens.
Community Food Drive Project
One recent example of NCO’s work with the community is their recent Food Drive Project (CFDP), a collaboration between several different organizations, which successfully delivered food to over 30 households in its first week of operation. Each household received two bags of food containing a variation of about nine pounds of fresh produce, a fresh protein, eggs, cheese, and several non-perishable items like applesauce, oatmeal, canned peas, marinara sauce, pasta, canned meat, peanut butter, jelly, bread, and more. The total approximate retail value was $125 per household. Another food drive occurred on Friday, May 1 with an even larger number of household receiving a delivery.
The CFDP aims to deliver food directly to the homes of Lake County residents impacted by COVID-19, focusing on those who have experienced lost wages, do not have transportation, are medically fragile and who may be symptomatic. The goal of the project is to fill a gap, serving those who are not currently accessing other community food resources. Food is delivered directly to people’s homes by drivers and vehicles provided by Lake Transit Authority. Any community member in need of food is encouraged to call 707-993-4644 or email CFDP@lakecountyca.gov and apply for assistance. Bilingual support is available.
“We encourage residents who need groceries to contact us. We can provide food directly through the CFDP, refer people to other community food resources, and make sure our senior citizen population is connected with the right support services” says Crystal Markytan, Director of Lake County Department of Social Services. “We’re in this together and we want to help people while supporting resources offered by county partners.”
The CFDP depends on community donations. “We are grateful to our community for the donations from organizations and individuals,” says Robyn Bera, Director of Community Projects for North Coast Opportunities. “We will do our best to continue this project throughout the COVID-19 crisis.” Donations can be made by mail to North Coast Opportunities: Community Food Drive Project, 413 N. State Street, Ukiah CA 95482 or online at www.bit.ly/2XSCHOi. Agency partners in this collaboration include: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, Hope Crisis Response Network, Hope Rising Lake County, Lake County Department of Social Services, Lake County Office of Education, Lake County Tribal Health, Lakeport Senior Center, Lake Transit Authority, North Coast Opportunities and Partnership Health Plan.
The Covid19 Senior Resource Hotline connects senior citizens to active senior centers. The hotline is not exclusive to a specific senior center. “Together, local senior centers serve roughly 1000 of the 15,441 people over aged 65 in Lake County,” says Jonathan Crooks of Lakeport Senior Center. “The hotline has simplified the process for residents and created a stronger collaboration between senior centers.” Any individual over the age of 60 is encouraged to call 888-861-8622 to get the resources they need to stay home and safe. Qualifying seniors are eligible for two meals per day delivered to their homes. Grocery shopping and food pantry deliveries may also be available to those over 65. Meals are partially funded through grants administered by the PSA26 Area Agency on Aging, the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store, and the fundraising efforts of local centers.
Residents who need groceries are encouraged to call 707-993-4644 or email CFDP@lakecountyca.gov. Residents over age 60 are encouraged to call 888-561-8622. Agencies, individuals or community groups wishing to support this effort should contact Robyn Bera at rbera@ncoinc.org or by calling 707-278-8696. More information is available at www.hoperisinglc.org/CommunityFoodDriveProject.
NCO is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO reacts and adjusts to community needs, including disaster response and recovery. For more information visit www.ncoinc.org or call (707) 467-3200.
