Support N.L. pantry with donation

As a member of the North Liberty Community Pantry's board of directors, I wholeheartedly support the pantry's efforts to build a community garden. The project will provide a sustainable source of fresh produce for pantry clients and valuable gardening instruction for the entire community.

Increasing healthy food options and promoting healthy living are key priorities of the pantry's strategic plan. Pantry clients and the general public will not only learn how to prepare the soil for, plan, and plant a food garden, but also learn to harvest, prepare, and preserve the food they produce. Harvested food - ranging from apples, grapes, and strawberries to asparagus, other vegetables, and herbs - will be provided free to pantry clients.

The project began with a grant application to the Wellmark Foundation's Gardening for Health program. The pantry's proposal was chosen as one of the 15 competitively awarded grants. NLCP must raise $38,850 by Dec. 15 in order to receive the matching funds from The Wellmark Foundation.

This is an incredible opportunity for our growing community, where hundreds of individuals and families are living at or below federal poverty guidelines. Join me in donating to the Pantry's Gardening for Health Project. It's a great investment in our community. The plan is in place. All we need is your donation. Visit at www.northlibertycommunitypantry.org.

Amy Nielsen

North Liberty