School gardens are a group effort

The June 14 letter 'Roosevelt students take pride in garden” mentioned how Roosevelt Middle School has had an ongoing project for the past several years under the direction of the Roosevelt staff and myself.

The article references the generous contribution of the Tuesday Noon Optimist Club in Cedar Rapids, which has given our garden a significant donation to offset the cost of running our garden.

What wasn't mentioned in the article was the involvement of a group called Matthew 25 who laid the foundation to begin not only the Roosevelt Garden but school gardens on the west side of Cedar Rapids.

They have found funding for many gardens through other sources such as the One Step Hy-Vee grant and other places.

Matthew 25 is an independent, local non-profit organization in Cedar Rapids. It exists to strengthen core neighborhoods and to provide opportunities for people to act on their values through service. Without their ongoing support and teaming with Roosevelt the garden would not continue to thrive.

Cindy Frese

Cedar Rapids