FLORENCE, SC – It won’t be long until the kids have to go back to school, however for children in Northwest Florence; they are getting a lesson in nutrition now.
This is the second year for the community garden at Northwest Park, which is located next to the Northwest Community Center.
Children learn how sustainable food works and how eating healthy makes their lives better.
“It helps keep the community beautiful too. The people traveling through they be able to see the garden around the community center and they’ll say they are really doing something in this northwest area,” said Robert Hendrix, Northwest Community Center.
For years, members with the community center have been invested into their community.
Out of their own pockets, residents have taken a bite out of what’s good and turned it into a community garden.
“We try to plant this stuff so that the community members can come out and get fresh vegetables,” Hendrix mentioned.
“Anything we can do to help the neighborhood…that’s what it’s all about,” added Mary Grant, President of the Northwest Community Center.
Program Coordinator David Caldwell will admit a community once riddled by gang violence and drugs now takes on a new conversation.
“And it’s two fold. They are socializing, revitalizing the community and it brings pride back into the community because the neighbors get together and see the results of what they’ve done,” Caldwell stated.
The garden is active year-round.
Also, the city received a $25,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association in partnership with the Wal-Mart Foundation to involve low-income youth in healthy activity and meal programs.
