Hope House Health & Living Center Cultivates Community Garden
Guests, staff, and volunteers at the Hope House Health and Living Center, 179 Corporate Drive, Bangor, have cultivated a community garden for the fifth year. The produce is used for meals at the Hope House Shelter, with extra produce distributed to guests of transitional housing and those in need at the Hope House Health Center and Unlimited Solutions Clubhouse. The garden ensures that guests are receiving meals with locally grown and self-sustained fresh produce.
Seeds and seedlings were donated by generous community members and the Hope House utilizes community volunteers, shelter guests, and transitional housing tenants to plant, care for, and harvest the vegetables. The project is made possible with the help of numerous volunteers and donors, including Pat, Doug, and Kris Bears, Olivia Bean, Byron Hale, Monique Gautreau, PCHC Board Member, the Orono/Veazie Gardening and Cooking Class, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners, a local 4-H club, and others.
Ann Giggey, LACD, Director of Hope House, states, “We are very excited with the garden project. Not only does gardening provide a healthy activity, the results from harvesting ensure plenty of fresh, nutritious food being served to guests in the Hope House cafeteria.”
The Hope House plans to continue its Community Garden in the coming years and extends its appreciation for the collaboration and donations received from the community and from members of the Hope House Shelter and Transitions Programs. To learn how you may get involved in supporting Hope House’s Community Garden, please contact Ann Giggey, Director of Hope House at 207-217-6713, ext. 1480.