Food Pantry Needs Solar Power

The goal of Garden Valley Neighborhood House is to empower residents to become engaged in their community. They do this through healthy cooking classes, teaching youth entreprenurial skills in The Kids Cafe, weekly senior group activities, a very succesful construction trade program, free HIV/AIDS testing, a certified nursing program, and a program and supplies for expectant moms and newborns. Garden Valley also happens to manage the single largest food pantry in the state of Ohio, serving over 15,000 students, low income residents, veterans, and home bound seniors every month!

With more than 30 refrigerators and freezers running 24 hours/per day, the monthly elecitric bill at Garden Valley Neighborhood House averages $1,800-$2,000!!!  With the support of Re-volv, a national nonprofit, Garden Valley Neighborhood House has been granted approval for solar panel installtion this year which will greatly reduce the electricity expense for the center. However, Garden Valley Neighborhood House is over 100 years old and the elctrical system is outdated and in need of repair before the panels can be installed.

This year we are also adding a Clean Energy Education program around recycling, gardening, and raising awareness about the impacts of climate change.

This organization is completely volunteer run. Your support is needed to help defray the cost of these much needed programs in the community!!!

Hire electrical contractor to upgrade electrical system

Plan curiculum for community education classes around clean energy

Recruit and provide orientation for solar apprenticeships

Install solar panels with the help of Re-volv

Invite residents to kickoff party

The need for Solar Panels to be installed at Garden Valley Neighborhood House is critical! In order to properly store food for the largest food pantry in the state of Ohio it is expensive and very challenging, the center has over 30 refrigerators and freezers with an extremely high electric bill of $1,800-$2,000 per month. The center's operating expense and management of the food pantry and programs are from volunteers concerned about making a difference in the community and throughout greater Cleveland. 

Garden Valley Neighborhood House Executive Director is Jan Ridgeway. Jan was a former board member who committed to doing everything possible to keep the center's doors open for residents of the community. She works tirelessly at the center contributing financially, ordering supplies,cooking, gardening and providing support to all programs and everyone in need. Now it's time for us to step up and support her efforts to make Garden Valley Neighborhood House energy efficient!

Training community residents to become solar installers will be a major step to creating employment opportunities in the field of clean energy.