On July 14, volunteers pulled weeds, laid mulch, repaired benches, picked up litter and planted flowers at Harrisburg's Heart of the Community Garden, all while wearing masks and gloves and practicing physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Community Garden received this TLC through a partnership between The Giant Company, Greenprint, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and local affiliate Keep Harrisburg-Dauphin County Beautiful and Tri-County Community Action.

The garden, located at Derry and Kittatinny streets, is known for its three-story, ‘Live the Conversation’ mural that illustrates local community residents and leaders and delivers a message of inspiration and nonviolence.

 It also provides a public space for the Allison Hill Farmers Market whose mission is to improve local food security, enhance individual health, and build entrepreneurship among local farmers and residents, all while enriching community life in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg. 

“We appreciate Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, GIANT and their families' support in the beautification of the Heart of the Community Garden. Their volunteerism shows there is someone out there who cares about our community and the places they frequent. In addition, this act of generosity ensured the community garden was in shape for the Allison Hill Farmers Market that is open every Wednesday from 3-7 PM,” said Danielle Krebs, Communications Manager for Tri County Community Action. 

The Heart of the Community Garden is regularly maintained by volunteers and Tri County Community Action staff year-round and also receives maintenance during the annual Greater Harrisburg Litter Cleanup. 

Tri County Community Action has fourteen community gardens in the Harrisburg area. If you would like to have a role in the beautification of a community garden near you, email volunteer@cactricounty.org or visit the Volunteer webpage.

The Heart of the Community Garden beautification is a continuation of projects initiated by The GIANT Company’s Reduced Emissions Program, which was developed in partnership with GreenPrint Holdings Inc.

Through the Reduced Emissions Program, for every qualifying gallon of fuel purchased at a GIANT or MARTIN’S fuel station, GreenPrint will invest in carbon projects across the globe, which will offset up to 30 percent of the customer’s tailpipe carbon emissions. 

“We want to make sure we are staying true to our promise and helping to ensure a healthy planet for future generations and we are proud to work with organizations Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and their local affiliate Keep Harrisburg–Dauphin County Beautiful, who share our commitment,” said Ashley Mahaffey, Community Relations Coordinator, The GIANT Company.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events.

“The Heart of the Community Garden demonstrates true community spirit and we are honored to partner with GIANT and our local affiliate on the recent beautification efforts through GIANT’S Reduced Emissions Program,” explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “GIANT has been a sponsor of our Pick Up Pennsylvania program for a number of years. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to engage directly in their communities through this partnership.”

Visit GIANT’S website to learn more about the company’s sustainability programs.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

The  2020 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative is postponed until September 1 through November 30.  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

Keep PA Beautiful, PennDOT, DEP and many other partners mobilized 92,342 volunteers last year for Pick Up Pennsylvania events all over the state.

Related Articles:

-- PA Resources Council Offers 5 Backyard Composting, Watershed/Rain Barrel, Recycling/Waste Reduction Webinars In August

-- Agriculture: Urban, Community Gardens Combat Food Deserts, Grow Food, Life Skills

[Posted: July 23, 2020]

7/27/2020