National Grant Helps “Grow to Go Garden” Continue Growing

Bellewood Home for Children received a $2,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation and Foodcorps to expand the Grow To Go garden program on the Anchorage campus.

The Whole Kids Foundation, founded by Whole Foods Market, received more than 3,000 applications from across the nation for the grant. Approximately 1,000 projects will be funded.

The Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant Program offers grants to individuals and organizations ready to build, expand or renew their own school garden. The mission of Whole Kids Foundation is to “support schools and inspire families to improve children’s nutrition and wellness.”

Bellewood’s Grow To Go Garden is led by a group of local volunteers working with youth living at Bellewood’s residential facility in Anchorage. In 2011, squash, peppers, zucchini, potatoes, watermelon, cucumbers and more than 106 tomatoes were planted, grown, harvested and sold to the public throughout the growing season. With the garden, Bellewood’s youth gain a sense of responsibility and accomplishment as they work to grow vegetables that will become part of a wholesome, home-cooked meal or flowers that will be the centerpiece of a holiday celebration.