The Androscoggin County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) recently awarded a special $6,000 grant to Lots to Gardens to help it continue its work building social capital in the community. The money was provided by the Sandy River Charitable Foundation as a way to recognize local organizations that build community through innovative programs and services.
“The work that Lots to Gardens has done over the last 10 years has been exemplary,” said Bill Hiss, chair of the Androscoggin County Committee. “They build social capital by bringing together people of all ages and from different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds to grow food, learn about healthy recipes and ways of cooking, promote leadership, and conduct community service.”
Lots to Gardens, a program of St. Mary’s Health System, uses sustainable urban gardens to create access to fresh food, empower youth, and build community in Lewiston. Through their work, they raise community awareness about local food systems and work with youth to create solutions to address food insecurity. To learn more, visit www.lotstogardens.org
The Androscoggin County Fund was launched in 1999 with a matching gift from Androscoggin Savings Bank. Since that time, the Androscoggin County Committee has awarded more than $241,000 in grants to county nonprofits. The committee is made up of local community leaders who partner with the foundation to build charitable resources to serve the region. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call (877) 780-6800.
Bill Hiss presents a check for $6,000 to Kirsten Walter, Nutrition Center Director for St. Mary’s Health System, at the November 12th meeting of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce.
Pictured (left to right) are Rebecca Webber, MaineCF Androscoggin County committee member; Diane Marquis-Monahan, St. Mary’s Health System; Kirsten Walter; Mr. Hiss; and Jane Morrison and Candace Sanborn, MaineCF Androscoggin County committee members.