2018 community garden volunteers. Photo submitted by HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital.
For Immediate Release
HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital Continues Partnership with Community Garden
SHELBYVILLE, IL – HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital has committed to a second year of partnership with the Shelbyville Community Garden. The hospital will expand its gardens by providing permanent raised beds with easier access to water for the community garden on the HSHS Good Shepherd campus.
The garden started as a mission through the First Presbyterian Church in 2017. Members of the church planted the first five beds of vegetables and were able to donate all produce that year. In late 2017, the church members expanded their idea and formed a board of people to grow the community garden into a not-for-profit corporation.
On April 22, 2018, HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital became the second foundational partner of the Shelbyville Community Garden. HSHS Good Shepherd provided nine temporary garden beds for the community and all produce grown was donated to the local Methodist Church food pantry and to the First Presbyterian Church monthly meal mission.
The not-for-profit, in 2018, maintained 21 gardens. In 2019, they are looking at expanding their number of garden beds, to provide more produce to the community and those in need.
“HSHS Good Shepherd is excited to continue our partnership with the community garden and looks forward to the expansion of our garden this spring,” said Tonya Bowrey, manager of rehabilitation and wellness services and co-mission leader at HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital.
The entire organization is based on volunteers from the two foundational partners along with community members who volunteer their time throughout the growing season.
For more information on volunteering or a summer job visit www.facebook.com/ShelbyvilleCommunityGarden/ or contact Brenda Elder at 217-827-2806.
