 In
2003 local food banks in the borough of Queens in New York City experienced
an astronomical rise in their number of clients. More and more families
with young children began showing up, and even more alarmingly, young teenagers
unaccompanied by an adult. Our neighbors were struggling. Looking for a
way to address the pressing needs of the local community, Mary Shutak-Jenkins,
wife of the Reverend Stanley Jenkins suggested, only slightly tongue in
cheek, that the church should use its property to grow food to supply the
already over-taxed food banks. What a great idea. The church immediately
seized upon it. How simple. It wasn't like we were going to solve the issue
of hunger once and for all, but we could do what we could do. And this
was something we could do. We could produce healthy, organic produce to
feed our hungry neighbors, as well as provide the neighborhood with a much
needed green space. With the help of over fifty volunteers the ground was
broken on the Farm on May 15, 2004. In its first year, the Greens for Queens
Urban Farm, under the able management of Mary and the church, and with
generous support from our partner organizations, produced and distributed
over a thousand pounds of tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, strawberries, watermelon,
herbs, greens, radishes, carrots, etc.  In
addition, a summer youth camp was designed around the Farm project and
run by the Farm's partner organization, South
Asian Youth Action (SAYA!). Urban youth had an opportunity to connect
with the soil, learn about food production in their local community, and
just have fun in the sun. This year we are well situated to reach our goal
of harvesting and donating two thousand pounds of produce. With the
help of Just Food, we have also
started a fresh flower and herb market to help raise funds for the project,
as well as expand our outreach to the local community. On the horizon we
look forward to nutrition and cooking classes as well as a job skills program
designed for youth. For further information, or if you would like to make
a donation, please contact Mary Shutak-Jenkins at: (718) 779-6628, or the
church office at (718) 639-3126. |
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