MARION, Ill. – Since 2021, the Cultivating Care Donation Garden has supplied fresh produce to The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois Food Pantry. Staff, volunteers, community partners, and local youth helped establish this year’s garden during a community planting day in April.

With the support of adult volunteers, 26 Marion Junior High School students helped direct sow seeds and harvest spinach and oregano in the raised beds within the garden space. The students are part of the service club under the guidance of teachers and sponsors Carrie Jackson and Khara Kelly. The spring planting included chard, arugula, various lettuces, radishes, green beans, wax beans, green onions, beets, and potatoes, with tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers to be added in the coming weeks.

Through collaborative efforts with The Salvation Army of Southern Illinois, Marion First Presbyterian Church, and The City of Marion, Illinois Extension established the Cultivating Care Donation Garden. Since its start three years ago, the garden has shared over 1,500 pounds of fresh produce with the Salvation Army Food Pantry.

If you missed planting day, there are still opportunities to get involved. The garden will host stewardship days on select Monday mornings from 8- 10 a.m. Individuals or organizations can also adopt a week to help care for the garden and get fresh produce to the food pantry. To learn more, contact the Williamson County Extension office at (618) 993-3304, email Kim Rohling at kimrohli@illinois.edu, or visit go.illinois.edu/GardenStewardship.