A vacant lot owned by Horizons, A Family Service Alliance and located across from the Agency at 819 5th Street SE, has become the site of a garden where fresh produce will be grown for clients of the Horizons Meals On Wheels program. Horizons recently started the local garden with assistance from Rinderknecht Associates Inc., and local AmeriCorps programs under the Community Corrections Improvement Association.
"Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing our community grow," said Scott Friauf, Executive Vice President at Rinderknecht. The Cedar Rapids-based general contractor donated labor and materials to the project.
Meanwhile, AmeriCorps members provided labor, plants, seed and ongoing maintenance to the site. "Opportunities to pay forward and serve the elderly are rare treasures that contribute to our community’s well-being," according to CCIA Director Gary Hinzman.
Volunteers with Meals On Wheels will handle harvesting, washing and distributing the produce to its clients. "The garden will help to provide some healthy fresh produce to some of our most frail seniors as a supplement to the hot meals we already provide," said Dianna Young, Director of Horizons Meals On Wheels.
The garden is another addition to the expanding Meals On Wheels program at Horizons, which will also roll out new menu options and frozen meals produced in the Meals On Wheels kitchen in the coming weeks.