Community Spirit Grows Deeper with Salvation Army Garden
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by Kelsie Atkins
Digging in the dirt might not seem like the place to learn life skills and meet other community members. But that’s exactly what’s happening at The Salvation Army in Pierce County.
The Salvation Army in Tacoma opened a community garden this year for the first time as part of the SHIELD program, which stands for safe housing, healthy habits, increase habits, increase assets, encourage relationships, life skills, and developmental assets.
The garden provides clients with new relationships, life skills and confidence. Gardening has brought the Pierce County community together, strengthening ties between The Salvation Army clients and community members. This summer, people from all backgrounds will be working together alongside each other to produce fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves, as well as The Salvation Army food bank and shelter.
“The community garden is an inexpensive way to get people around the community involved and help our clients see that they can make a change,” Major Donald Sheppard said. “Clients are trying to change their lives and grow as people. The garden provides all the resources to help them start making those changes.”
“The community garden helps clients to increase their skill set and witness something they are able to do themselves,” Sheppard said. “It promotes self-esteem and does wonders for their sense of value.”
Pictured Above: Members of the Northwest Leadership Foundation help break ground and build garden beds.
It also allows clients to grow their own food, learning the necessary skills it takes to start and maintain the garden.
If the gardener chooses, the food can be distributed to The Salvation Army shelter and food bank, allowing an opportunity for clients to give back and help others in need. As part of showing appreciation to those who have served in the military, veterans receive a garden bed for free.
“There are thirty garden beds total,” Sheppard said. “This helps our client’s welfare, not only physically but also psychologically and spiritually.”
Clients also have the opportunity to teach gardening classes, based on their experience in the garden. Young adults who come from broken homes have been identified to teach the classes, in order to provide them with leadership opportunities. Classes will be held throughout July and August.
Special thanks to the sponsors of the community garden project – Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and McLendon Hardware.
