Eastside Community Garden Blooms Again

ZANESVILLE, OH – After facing a few challenges, the Eastside Community Garden is growing once again.

Thanks to funding from the Straker Foundation, the Eastside Community Garden is back to life and focused on giving fresh food back to those in need. The garden is now partnered with Christ’s Table, Eastside Community Ministries Food Pantry, Food Works Alliance, and Carin Recovery to make sure the food being grown goes directly back into the community.

“I’m excited for this to be thriving again. When it first started, it was a really beautiful thing to drive by. We got all kinds of compliments; we had a volunteer coordinator and that kind of fell off. For the last couple of years, we’ve just been struggling to make it come back to life. So, I’m very excited for this partnership.” Executive Director of ECM, Jamie Trout said.

The garden features 23 raised beds filled with greens, fruits, vegetables, and even fruit trees. The harvest will help supply local food pantries and meal programs, while any leftover produce will be shared with the Hunger Network. Organizers say they’re always looking for more volunteers who enjoy gardening or simply want to help make a difference.

“It’s a pretty awesome cycle because a lot of our guys that come to us, they don’t have any food or food assistance yet. Eastside helps out with getting them emergency food boxes., So, for us to come over here to help grow food, it’s kind of like we’re repaying it into the same cycle.” Carin Recovery Mental Health/Substance Use Counselor, Randa Harrop said.

Anyone interested in volunteering or helping with the Eastside Community Garden is encouraged to contact Eastside Community Ministries for more information.

Eastside Community Ministry – Zanesville Ohio – Muskingum County