The Dick and Donna Pfeil Classroom

Organizational Summary: Unity Gardens uniquely dignified free food model has connected our community to fresh produce for almost 10 years in the St. Joseph County through ~40 open gardens, free wellness programs & classes reaching thousands of families & children to reduce food insecurity & social isolation.

In order to more effectively reach our community, Unity Gardens is pursuing a Community Learning Center that will include classroom space, and indoor –outdoor market, offices, and a commercial kitchen.  To date, funds have been raised to erect the exterior of the Center and complete the market area and the commercial kitchen.

Goal: $26,000

The Unity Gardens’ Community Learning Center classroom space will allow us to:

1.     More efficiently connect our community to fresh food by teaching free classes on site

2.     Maintain year-round relationships with our vulnerable neighbors

3.     Shelter our Garden Campers

4.     Host visitors from other communities and share Unity Gardens’ uniquely dignified model

5.     Double as indoor volunteer space

6.     Create a food hub for our west side community

7.     Provide a home for Unity Gardens

 Unity Gardens’ educational events are held throughout the community in a variety of settings for people from all socio-economic demographics gather to learn and share.  Many relationships are sown, contributing to the numerous volunteers and supporters Unity Gardens continues to enjoy.  Unity classes cover growing gardens, harvesting, cooking and even preserving, connecting our community to fresh produce ground to mouth. Hosting classes on site will help maximize efficiency, keep us in year round contact with our neighbors, along with facilitating outreach by attracting others to the LaSalle Square Unity Garden.

 There are many food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens and urban farms, but Unity Gardens is a unique model focusing on a dignified food experience and urban agriculture with an overarching theme of social and environmental justice.  By including people from all demographics in naturally grown ecosystems, we create a model of inclusion and empowerment, erasing the imaginary line between those who give and those who receive.