Local non-profits are working together to create a community garden that will provide food for the hungry. The community is invited to the kick-off on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church for a day of fun, fellowship and food. Come plant a seedling and make a difference!

The community garden will be a place to teach sustainable gardening practices, as well as meet spiritual and physical needs of the Sunland community. The majority of the produce grown within the garden will be donated to local food banks in the Sunland-Tujunga area. The garden will be located on land provided by Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church. The non-profits currently involved include Tierra del Sol, Shadow Hills Preschool, Girl Scouts, Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church and Master Gardener Ann Urich of the UCCE University of California Center for Continuing Education at UC Davis.

Tricia Cullen, the preschool director at Shadow Hills Preschool said, “At Shadow Hills Preschool, growing is a developmentally appropriate vehicle to teach complex concepts like life, death and rebirth to preschool aged children. Through gardening our children experience the wonder of God’s natural creation and the awe of discovering that this is where much of our food comes from.”

Tierra del Sol and members of Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church have already been working together to prepare the soil. Tierra del Sol has created ceramic art that will go into the garden. Girl Scouts from Troop 1306 will have a plot in the garden and will be painting a mural in the garden. Urich serves on the leadership team and has been providing insight into sustainable gardening practices.

Following the kickoff event there will be weekly hours when the community garden is open to the public. Future plans include community classes about jam making, canning and sustainable gardening techniques.

This event is free to attend.

Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church is located at 10158 Johanna Ave. in Sunland.

Shadow Hills Preschool is ready to plan in the community garden!