Five students and Penn College's coordinator of student engagement traveled to the Williamsport Red Shield Community Garden this past weekend for the latest "(community) Service Saturday" event.Joining Office of Student Engagement staff member Trisha M. Temple (who also provided the photo) were Dean R. Fulton, of Palmyra, enrolled in business administration: marketing concentration; Diana M. Gaglione, of Scranton, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration; Alicia Martinez, Allentown, aviation maintenance technology; Skylar J. Merrick, of Mansfield, pre-radiography; and Sophia G. Wiest, of Butler, entrepreneurial innovation.
The Park Avenue site, which is operated by The Salvation Army, features raised gardening beds that are sponsored by local entities – including UPMC, which uses the produce in its hospital nutrition program, the Center for Independent Living and Firetree Place. Among the organizers' aims are community empowerment by encouraging residents to plant, grow and pick their own produce; and to educate individuals and families about the value of gardening. In addition to allowing local gardeners to share in the bounty when it's time to harvest, an abundance of vegetables are donated to local food banks and other nonprofits.