Latest news with #GrowingTogether
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘Brings a lot of joy': Community garden initiative offers lessons on growing produce
The Growing Together program at the Alberta Avenue community garden is teaching people new skills and helping to address food insecurity. Marek Tkach reports. The Alberta Avenue Community Garden is sprouting opportunities and free produce for gardeners-in-training. A new program called 'Growing Together' gives community members a crack at learning how to garden and grow their own food to take home. • Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts on all the top Edmonton stories Jacob Ulickij, the lead gardener, told CTV News Edmonton the program is open to anyone looking to grow a green thumb. '(It's for) anybody who wants to learn, wants to strengthen the skills they already have or learn something new … this is a really great opportunity for them to see how a biodynamic farm can work within Alberta,' Ulickij said on Monday. 'Alberta Avenue is a very strong community and with lots of community gardens, but there's a lot of food insecurity happening across Edmonton more than ever … so Growing Together is utilizing space that we had in order to provide free food for the community,' he added. Would-be gardeners in the community will have to fill an online questionnaire to specify whether they are looking to donate their time, looking for free produce, or just gain knowledge for their own projects. Additionally, whatever produce is leftover from the dedicated area of the gardens will be donated to charities across the city. 'We give out non-perishable food from the food bank every week, and we've been doing that for the last five years. We very seldom get fresh produce, and so whenever we do get it, we're excited to be able to hand that out,' said Frank Parker, the coordinator for the Bethel Gospel Chapel's pantry. 'It goes really fast. People really appreciate it, and it's good to give out something that's fresh and healthy rather than food that comes in cans and boxes,' he added. Karen Mykietka, the operations manager for the Alberta Avenue Community League, told CTV News Edmonton how the garden is bringing new life to the space. 'It used to just be a grassy field because it was formerly an ice rink, and then slowly, from 2011 we just rototilled a patch of lawn and made some garden beds, and then we've been expanding ever since,' Mykietka said. 'Now we have 35 families that garden here, plus Jacob in the center, and any of the people who are coming out to help him.' Ulickij said it 'brings a lot of joy' knowing he's able to pass on his knowledge for free to people who are benefitting from the program. Visit the Alberta Avenue Community League website for information about the growing initiative. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Alberta Avenue creates program to address food insecurity
Alberta Avenue creates program to address food insecurity The Growing Together program at the Alberta Avenue community garden is teaching people new skills and helping to address food insecurity. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach has the story.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charity sees surge in baby starter pack referrals
A charity providing starter packs for newborns has reported a "shocking" increase in referrals for its services. Baby Basics, based in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, supplies moses baskets filled with donated bed linen, toiletries, and clothing to support vulnerable families. The charity said it is now assisting one in 16 babies born in the county. Sabrina Oakey, co-founder of Baby Basics Northampton said: "Unfortunately, over the last five years, we've seen a 97% increase in our referrals, which is shocking." Founded in 2013, the charity provides support to new mothers facing financial hardship. If purchased, the average cost of each starter pack would total around £450. On Friday, Baby Basics distributed its 3,000th package to Growing Together, a Northampton-based wellbeing charity. Ms Oakey said the scale of support the charity provides is "both humbling and inspiring". She also highlighted that referrals are now coming from a range of sources, including NHS professionals, food banks, charities, social services, and frontline workers. "We're seeing more and more working families coming to us. When both parents are working and still can't afford essentials, this is a problem we shouldn't have," Ms Oakey added. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Family support charity reports 41% referrals rise Charity 'blown away' after 100 baby baskets collected Baby Basics UK
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charity sees surge in baby starter pack referrals
A charity providing starter packs for newborns has reported a "shocking" increase in referrals for its services. Baby Basics, based in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, supplies moses baskets filled with donated bed linen, toiletries, and clothing to support vulnerable families. The charity said it is now assisting one in 16 babies born in the county. Sabrina Oakey, co-founder of Baby Basics Northampton said: "Unfortunately, over the last five years, we've seen a 97% increase in our referrals, which is shocking." Founded in 2013, the charity provides support to new mothers facing financial hardship. If purchased, the average cost of each starter pack would total around £450. On Friday, Baby Basics distributed its 3,000th package to Growing Together, a Northampton-based wellbeing charity. Ms Oakey said the scale of support the charity provides is "both humbling and inspiring". She also highlighted that referrals are now coming from a range of sources, including NHS professionals, food banks, charities, social services, and frontline workers. "We're seeing more and more working families coming to us. When both parents are working and still can't afford essentials, this is a problem we shouldn't have," Ms Oakey added. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Family support charity reports 41% referrals rise Charity 'blown away' after 100 baby baskets collected Baby Basics UK
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Child Advocates rings in new campaign the 'Casa Effect'
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — CASA, a local nonprofit, creatively supports children in foster care. They are set to host a butterfly release fundraiser, 'Casa Effect.' The event, which will be held on May 31 at the CASA office at 808 Austin St., aims to raise awareness and support for children in foster care and bring the community together for a day of celebration and advocacy. 'Growing Together' community job fair to be held at MPEC The highlight of the event will be a symbolic butterfly release, representing child advocates' new campaign, 'The Casa Effect.' The campaign emphasizes how small moments of care and support today can impact a child's future. Attendees can purchase butterflies in advance for $10 each or five for $40 through their website: Home – Child Advocates – CASA of Red River. CASA Volunteer Coordinator Casey Washington says the event raises awareness for foster children and funds that will be used to help them directly. 'We're really just wanting to raise awareness to the community about what we do and what we do for the local foster youth. All the funds that we receive from the fundraiser will go towards, volunteer travel so volunteers can go and see our kids that are further away or just birthday gifts and things like that. Just little things that help out the kids daily,' Washington said. This is the first year, so they're hoping for around 300-400 butterflies, and they want to build on that number each year. This is a volunteer-based organization, so they're always looking for volunteers. They have training every other month. So, if you'd like to become a volunteer or want information on upcoming events, check out Child Advocates—CASA of Red River's website or call (940) 766-0552. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
