project leader
Abby M
location
233 Henry Ave
(UPTOWN)
latest update rss
Thank You!

the project

Bickford Community Center is located in the heart of Uptown – blocks from the Mississippi River, St. Jude, the historic Pinch District, and Manassas High School. Yet, despite being one of Memphis’ oldest neighborhoods, Uptown is essentially a “food desert” home to thousands of residents who lack access to fresh, healthy food.

Recognizing this need, GrowMemphis is partnering with the Bickford Community Center and six other locations around the City of Memphis to help residents and neighborhood leaders start community gardens. In addition to providing space to grow fresh, healthy food, community gardens bring people together from different backgrounds, provide opportunities to meet and interact with neighbors in a meaningful way, beautify our city, educate our young people, and contribute to the overall wellness of our community.

GrowMemphis partners with community members to help them build, plant, and sustain their own community gardens. By giving residents of low-income neighborhoods the training and resources that they need, GrowMemphis increases access to healthy affordable fruits and vegetables while creating a sustainable local food system. GrowMemphis currently has 35 community gardens in 11 Memphis zip codes – growing food in 60,000 square feet of previously underutilized space.  Your donation will help us start 7 new community gardens in the next 3 months.

With your help, GrowMemphis will provide the training, planning, support, and resources needed for gardens to thrive. With your donation, new gardens will receive:

  • First year garden tools, supplies, and infrastructure;
  • Ongoing assistance in garden planning, coordination, and installation;
  • Annual Community Gardening 101- Comprehensive training in urban agriculture and community building;
  • Monthly network and training opportunities with the GrowMemphis network of community gardeners;
  • Seeds and starter plants (annually);
  • Ongoing technical assistance (GrowMemphis Staff site visits, training, evaluation, support and services); and
  • Collaborative services such as volunteer coordination, farmers market sales, in-kind donations of tools and supplies and more!

We've already raised 13,000 toward this project and need your help getting to the groundbreaking.

Our goal for these community gardens is improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income residents living in our city. The community garden will also become an active space for programs and activities for neighborhood residents.
 

Thank You Gifts:
All donors who give $50 - $100 will get a GrowMemphis t-shirt.
All 100 + donors will receive a ticket to our spring fundraiser.

The tax-deductibility of your donation may be affected by gifts or services received. Please consult your financial advisor for additional information.

the steps

We've already raised $13,000 toward this project and need your help getting to the groundbreaking.

ALREADY COMPLETE: The Garden Manager at GrowMemphis has worked extensively to plan each garden for all 7 new locations. This includes planning the garden layout, choosing crops, helping to train community leaders and raising start-up funding.  Gardens will grow food for the community including:  corn, sweet potatoes, winter squash, broccoli, green beans, peppers, legumes, beets, carrots, turnips, and much more!

IMMEDIATE NEXT-STEPS:  Purchasing the supplies and tools needed for each new garden.  This includes getting the plants that we need to get started.

OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS: In the coming months, we will help the new gardens get started by:

  • recruiting volunteers;
  • helping engage community members;
  • providing training and technical assistance to garden leaders;
  • raising the remaining funds; and
  • breaking ground on all of our new gardens.

why we're doing it

This project will help low-income residents grow their own fresh, healthy food. In addition, gardens will help engage residents, beautify neighborhoods, teach young people, and increase overall health and wellness.

budget

DISBURSEMENT BUDGET (as of 4/15/15):



RAISED = 2810.00
ioby Platform Fee  35.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee (3%) 80.83
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = 2694.17

In addition to the items listed below, the extra disbursed funds will also go toward GrowMemphis Garden Program Manager Time.

 

We've already raised $13,000 to purchase materials and supplies for the 7 new community gardens.  Our goal is to raise $1,250 on ioby with a $1,250 match in order to complete the project.  The funds will be used for:

  • Ongoing assistance in garden planning, coordination, and installation from our Garden Program Manager.
  • Community Gardening 101- Comprehensive training in urban agriculture and community building.
  • Monthly network and training opportunities with the GrowMemphis network of community gardeners.
  • Seeds and starter plants (annually).
  • Ongoing technical assistance (GrowMemphis Staff site visits, training, evaluation, support and services).

 



SUBTOTAL = $2,500
ioby Platform Fee  $35
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee (3%) $75
TOTAL TO RAISE = $2,610

 

updates

Thank You!

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Leslie and Harry M.
  • Angie Franchino
  • Mor G.
  • MKF
  • Jennifer K.
  • Kerri
  • Ricki s.
  • Leon Sher
  • Tanitra P.
  • Emily
  • douglas m.
  • Colter & Brimhall Family
  • Table & Bar Consulting Group
  • Sara Studdard
  • Janet M.
  • Conan - The Destroyer
  • Gerry
  • Arielle
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Tommy P
  • Stephen Chopek
  • Dorian
  • Kimberly K.
  • Chester K.
  • Emily Holmes
  • Abby Miller