More than a dozen Sholom residents participated in spring planting assisted by Jewish Family Service of St. Paul volunteers. The group recently gathered in one of the many common areas of Sholom to plant chard, cabbage, kale, squash, cucumbers and bean seedlings in trays.
“This was a fun activity for the residents and volunteers alike,” said volunteer Pola Rest. “The resident I worked with is excited to see everything that grows as a result of this session,” she said.
By working alongside a resident, volunteers helped them experience an activity they enjoyed, socialize with others, and realize the joy of a sense of purpose that the activity provided.
Sholom residents, volunteers and visitors are now providing indoor seedling care, watering them weekly.
In June, JFS Volunteer Engagement Specialist Margie Solomon will schedule one to two outdoor planting dates to move the seedlings into the ground in raised, elder-accessible garden beds. Volunteers will be needed for this transplanting. More information will be available on the JFS website.
The produce grown will be harvested in the fall and used by Open Arms Minnesota (OAM) to cook and deliver free, nutritious meals to people living with life-threatening illnesses in the Twin Cities. Open Arms received a grant for raised garden beds to be placed in the outdoor community garden on the grounds of Sholom.
Contact Margie Solomon, JFS Volunteer Engagement Specialist at (651) 690-8907 for more information.
