September 3, 2003

HOMELESS GROW OWN FOOD WITH HELP FROM MECKLENBURG COUNTY


Charlotte, NC - "Give a man a tomato, feed him for a day.  Teach him how to grow tomatoes, feed him for a lifetime."  That's the philosophy behind a Mecklenburg County program that teaches homeless men and women how to grow their own vegetables.

The training takes place at the Urban Ministries Community Garden at 945 College Street in Charlotte. Staff and volunteers from Mecklenburg County's PLANT program teach the homeless and Urban Ministry staff to maintain the garden. Homeless men and women grow fresh organic vegetables and herbs for their own use and for use in the soup kitchen at the Urban Ministry. Mecklenburg County also provided many of the native plants for the garden, as well as compost and mulch for soil enrichment.

PLANT is a program within Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling.  PLANT provides training to County residents in maintaining lawns and gardens in a manner that reduces waste and is friendly to the environment.

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling also provided bottles and other raw materials for use in the garden's bottle tree and "outside art." A reception and silent auction of the art will take place at the Urban Ministry Center on Saturday, September 13, 2003, from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

For more information on the PLANT program or to sign up for a class, check www.wipeoutwaste.com or call 704-336-5359.