Mini-Grant Helps Install Raised Bed Garden at Pine Street Branch of Community Credit Union

In 2018, Community Credit Union submitted for grant funding to create a neighborhood garden outside the 144 Pine Street, Lewiston branch that can benefit our staff and local organizations with healthy food options. This would foster additional partnerships with neighborhood organizations that can use the produce as well as offer an educational benefit to our staff in caring for a garden and growing their own food. Our intention was for staff to maintain the garden and assist our neighbors in helping to improve the Lewiston downtown. Additionally, the intent of our garden project will be for Credit Union employees to connect with local organizations serving different groups in our neighborhood that have food insecurities or lack of access to healthy, fresh produce.

Credit Union employees will select groups to benefit from our harvest. Any members or non-members coming into our Pine Street branch can participate therefore capturing underrepresented community members in need.  The project aligns with Healthy Neighborhood grant goals by removing the perceived barriers outside our Pine Street branch and by providing the garden resources to our neighbors and members while engaging stakeholders such as the employees and members of the Credit Union.  This will also demonstrate the Credit Union’s investment in the downtown while helping to change attitudes. 

The Credit Union removed the exterior shrubbery that was blocking the building and made room for three raised gardens to be built.  A member assisted with the design and construction and staff assembled them and filled them with soil.  The garden was planted in June 2018 and successfully produced a variety of vegetables.  A Garden Committee of Credit Union employees was formed to select the types of vegetables to plant, weed, water and maintain the garden, select the beneficiaries receiving the produce as well as clean it out to prepare it for winter.  Most of the first year harvest was delivered to our neighbors at the men’s shelter on Pine Street. 

In 2019, seedlings were purchased and new signage was added by the Garden Committee.  Trinity Jubilee Center was the primary beneficiary of the 2019 crop.  In 2020, the pandemic posed social distancing concerns for the Garden Committee to work together for maintenance so they opted to purchase some flowers to maintain the beautification effect outside the branch but reduce the need for staff to be on site maintaining the garden. 

The 2021 Garden Committee is hard at work planning for spring and there is $550.47 remaining of the original grant funds.  Each year a small portion of the remaining funds is used for seeds, seedlings and garden supplies.