(May 31, 2024) Mary McLeod Bethune School No. 45, in partnership with the Monroe County Family Coalition, is actively seeking volunteers to support a community garden initiative aimed at addressing health disparities and promoting food equity in Rochester.
Students from the construction and design pathway at Edison Career and Technology High School lent their expertise to the cause by constructing and installing garden beds at School No. 45. The planting of fruits and vegetables began on Friday, May 31, 2024.
“We want to make sure students and families have the tools they need so they can implement a garden in their own backyard and cook healthier food,” said Dina Johnson, President and CEO of the Monroe County Family Coalition. “This is all about fostering relationships with our community and eliminating food disparities in our most impoverished neighborhoods.”
“We know the benefits of gardening, it supports mental health and well-being,” said Christine Turnquist, Principal of School No. 45. “These garden beds help support and strengthen our curriculum. It gives us an outdoor classroom opportunity that we did not have before, it gets kids to connect on a different level.”
Founded in 2020 in Greece, New York, the Monroe County Family Coalition (MCFC) is a 503(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the inequality gaps in the community and creating opportunities for underserved youth and families. Through partnerships with local government, schools, businesses, and nonprofits, MCFC offers career and life skills training, mental health support, and access to local resources.
