Food is a necessary ingredient to sustaining human life. It is also culturally defined the community experience, a family gathering point, personal history, exercise and activity, a component of wellness, a social event, currency, crafts, and employment. (Paraphrased from Chef Richard Weinroth)
Food is expensive – even with coupons and food stamps. It is even more expensive if you don’t ave a lot of money and do not qualify for this type of assistance. I was at MEND (I know, you are not shocked) asking the staff how they address this for their clients.
- The Food Bank
- The Food Pantry (where other food banks come for food)
- The Hot Lunch Program
- Homeless Food Bags
- Diabetic Food Boxes
- Home Gardening Program
- La Collectiva
- Kid’s Food Education
- Cooking Classes
It seems they have already given this some thought.
I am a terrible gardener. This is just another painful reminder that I am adopted because my parents and grandparents and great grandparents all have had meaningful and fruitful (see what I did there?) relationships with plants. With that in mind, and because I feel comfortable at MEND, I gave #6 a hard look and decided to try the Home Gardening Program.
I have to say that they take this seriously and I already planted 4 different types of seeds. NExt I have to schedule a home site visit to see if I have room for a 4×8 garden plus soil delivery . I have 3 more weeks of classes.
Tell me why you this this might be a good or bad idea.
Homeless in LA © 