Albion Community Gardens Awarded AHUW Grant

Thanks to an Albion-Homer United Way grant the Albion Community Gardens will have secure storage for its tractor and tools.

According to President Richard Porter the grant will be used to purchase a shipping container to securely store the tractor and tool “library.” The container will be located at the Jefferson Street garden. Previously the tractor has been stored at St. James Rectory garage and was driven to the gardens as needed. Storing on site will be more efficient “and also provide secure storage for our growing number of tools used by community volunteers,” Porter stated.

Albion Community Gardens, Inc. is a coalition of community groups and individuals who are working to help Albion have better access to fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. The group supports new and experienced gardeners by providing free garden plots, some starter plants and seeds, a lending tool library and gardening advice. The only requirement is 20 hours a year to support the ACG work.

The volunteer gardeners also grow fresh produce for community members who need food assistance, Porter said. Fresh produce is added to the Community Table of Albion food distribution offerings.

 Funding local non-profits like the Albion Community Gardens is at the core of the Albion-Homer United Way’s mission. Raising funds through donations continues throughout the year, according to Marcia Starkey AHUW Executive Director.

Starkey said there are several good reasons to donate to the local United Way including that donations fund Albion and Homer specific programs and funding decisions are made by a local board. Donor lists are never shared with other agencies and payroll deductions make donating easier.

Donations can be mailed at any time to AHUW P.O. Box 55, Albion, MI 49224, made on-line at www.albionhomeruw.org or by contacting Starkey at 517-499-2563.

AHUW board members are Carolyn Amos, Donisha Brewer,  Art Kale, Michael Leskowich, Isabell Nazar, Eddie Williams and Shane Williamson.

Albion Community Gardens volunteers use the greenhouse to nurture plants for planting in the spring. The organization recently received a grant to purchase a shipping container to be used to securely store its tractor and garden tools lending library.