The Gardenworks Project, Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club Build New Garden Beds for Downers Grove FISH Pantry

Downers Grove, Ill. (May 18, 2021) -- The GardenWorks Project and Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club kicked off GardenWorks’ tenth growing season on May 15 by installing a new raised bed community garden for Downers Grove FISH Pantry.

Members of DGJWC, representatives of Grove Foundation and volunteers from FISH built 10 raised bed food gardens at Downers Grove Township, including assembling the beds, adding soil and transplanting seedlings. The 10 beds will provide FISH with another source of high-quality, locally-grown produce for families visiting. 

“A critical pillar of GardenWorks’ programming is increasing the supply of fresh produce available in food pantries,” said Jeannie Iseman, executive director. “We encourage folks to donate their extra harvests to local food pantries and work with community groups like Downers Grove Township and FISH to establish gardens that supplement their fresh produce options.”

The project was made possible by a $4,000 grant from DGJWC and a $1,000 grant from The Grove Foundation. 

“DGJWC has supported FISH Pantry for many years, and we have been looking for ways to get involved with The GardenWorks Project,” said Melisa McDonald, DGJWC press and publicity  chair. “This was a great opportunity for us to support our entire community, volunteer as a group, and carry out our mission. We are proud to fund this garden!”

The Downers Grove FISH Pantry Garden is GardenWorks’ 20th community garden in DuPage County to increase the supply of fresh produce available in food pantries. 

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The GardenWorks Project is a Chicago-area hunger relief nonprofit established in 2012. Their programs aim to create equitable access to fresh produce for families in Western Chicagoland and to strengthen our local food systems through food growing and education. We empower, educate and support all food growers in their efforts to nourish their families and fight hunger across the suburbs of Chicago. 

About Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club: The Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club is a non-partisan, non-denominational, volunteer women's organization. Its members are dedicated to supporting and raising the awareness of charitable organizations, individuals in need, and the community. If you would like to learn more about DGJWC, visit: www.dgjwc.org.