December 04th, 2024

Friends, as always, I lead with thank you!  
Thank you for your support and care, especially in recent weeks when many of you have reached out just to see if we are okay.  Your emails and calls mean more than I can say. 

Today,  I am reaching out to you in a moment of great urgency. 

As the only truly community-based organization dedicated to empowering Springfield’s youth while increasing affordable access to locally grown, healthy food, we’re facing new and serious challenges that threaten the heart of our work. With the recent sweep at the national level, critical resources and funding are at risk of being slashed, making it harder for us to provide healthy food access, community engagement, and leadership development opportunities to the young people and families who need them most.

During the pandemic years, we saw a wave of new support for Black-led organizations like ours, as people across the country recognized the need for justice, equity, and healing within our communities. Many stepped forward to fund initiatives to address long-standing racial inequities, allowing us to expand our programs and reach more people. However, as time has passed, most of that funding has dried up, even though the need for our work has only deepened.

At Gardening the Community, we are committed to growing a Springfield where every resident, regardless of their background or income, can access fresh, nutritious food. Our urban agricultural programs do more than just grow food—they cultivate young leaders who are prepared to advocate for social justice, public health, and systemic change in their communities. Our youth are learning to be powerful voices for justice, and they are at the forefront of a movement to combat the health disparities that disproportionately affect our neighbors.

But now, this work is in jeopardy. The national political landscape has shifted, putting essential funding for our programs at risk. Without immediate support from people like you, we risk having to cut back on programs that empower our youth to be the change makers Springfield needs.

This is why we need you now more than ever. Your gift today will allow us to sustain these vital programs that nurture our youth, grow food for those in need, and fight for a more equitable future. Every dollar counts, and with your support, we can keep moving forward in the face of these new challenges.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW!
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By standing with us today, you’re not only helping to keep our programs alive but also investing in the future of Springfield’s youth and the health of our community. Please consider making a donation that will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many in Springfield and beyond.
With deep gratitude and determination,​