Our neighbor, the Global Center for Success, in collaboration with the U.S.D.A. Forestry Service Regional Office at Mare Island and the Betty Frank Senior Lunch Center, is competing with other communities around the country for a grant to fund the Vallejo People’s Garden (AKA Mare Island Community Garden).

They are competing with other communities around the country for these grants, so your vote really helps. In fact, the way for them to win the $25,000 grant from Nature’s Path Organics is by getting the most votes. Volunteers to build and sustain the garden will come from both the Vallejo community and the Forest Service, and the fruits, vegetables, and herbs from the garden will go to homeless, needy, and elderly residents of Vallejo (plus maybe some students from local schools as well). A very good cause indeed for the whole community.

Voting for Vallejo to receive this funding only takes about 60 seconds. Here’s how:
1. Go to www.justmeans.com
2. Click on Challenges
3. Click on Apply and Vote Now for Nature’s Path $50,000
4. Scroll to bottom of page, Click on Vallejo People’s Garden Idea
5. Click Vote
6. Create an account by giving your name, email address, and making up a password
Check your email and click on the link to activate your account to vote for the Garden

The Vallejo People’s Garden will draw together an array of residents, as well as volunteers from the Forest Service, Vallejo Garden Club, and beneficiaries from GCS and Betty Frank Programs. The teachers at Mare Island Elementary School, located across the street from the future garden site are excited about bringing students over for lessons in food production and nutrition.

A Nature’s Path grant would make the garden a reality. They have land, water access, drawn-up plans, and permits, but no funding. The grant would fund the purchase of materials, tools, and lumber to build raised beds, compost bins, a chicken house, bee hive, fencing, educational signs, rain barrels, and storage shed.