No Child Goes Hungry (NCGH) is pleased to donate $1,000 to El Cajon Valley High School in El Cajon, California, to support the construction of its community garden initiative. The garden will be operated by students and parents and will provide fresh food options for the El Cajon community. NCGH’s donation will help fund the purchase of wood from a local lumber business to construct separation boxes in the garden. NCGH is especially grateful to Wes Troy and La Mesa Lumber for their generous support in making this project happen.
“This project is something that ECVHS is excited about to help address some of the food insecurity needs of our families,” said Dominique Patton, BSW, El Cajon Valley High School Social Work Intern. “Within our school, all our families have been on free and reduced lunch, and we are constantly working on different programs to help support our students and their families. This Community Garden has been a heart project that the school has been visualizing for many years. This year, we have been blessed in launching the concept, and we hope that with No Child Goes Hungry’s help, we will be able to create change within our community.”
According to Kären Rasmussen, No Child Goes Hungry Founder and Director, the developing trend of schools and community organizations building sustainable community gardens is vital in the battle against childhood hunger.
“I am amazed by the resilience and hard work of El Cajon Valley High School, its students, and parents,” said Rasmussen. “The COVID-19 crisis has so devastatingly impacted the community, yet its members continue to care for one another and build sustainable programs to feed children and their families and teach young people how to grow healthy fruits and vegetables. I hope the impressive work of ECVHS inspires neighboring communities to build similar initiatives.”
To learn how NCGH can help support your local hunger advocacy initiative, contact us today.