 |
| Savannah State University accepts a $2,500
donation from Center Parc Credit Union to enhance its Campus Community Garden.
Pictured from left: Student Mya White, Associate Professor Dr. Sue Ebanks,
Assistant Professor Patricia West, Melanie Smith, Study Abroad Coordinator; Dr.
Sametria McFall, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Shed Dawson, Director of
Career Services and Leadership Development; student Andrew Okorodudu, Sheri
Rouse-Mainor, Interim Executive Director of Advancement and Director of Advancement
Services; Donna Williams, Center Parc Credit Union Community Development
Liasion; Evelyn Williamson, Special Projects Coordinator for Journalism and
Mass Communications; Stephanie Anderson, Assistant Director of University
Recreation and Wellness; student Olivia Christian and Joline Keevy, Assistant
Director of International Education Center. |
August 23, 2021
(SAVANNAH, GA) - Center Parc Credit Union is donating $2,500 to the Savannah State University Campus Community Garden. Developed as a means for students who face food insecurities to be able to grow healthy foods affordably, the garden provides hands-on learning experiences and serves as a gathering place for faculty, staff and students to demonstrate a green economy.
“The youth are the roots of our future
and community gardens encourage physical activity as well as enhance knowledge
of nutrition and fresh food,” said Donna Williams, community development
liaison for Center Parc Credit Union. “Supporting the Savannah State University
Community Garden perfectly aligns with our mission of serving members beyond
just their financial needs.”
Located across from the Payne Hall parking area near Harris McDew Health Center
on Jasmine Avenue, the donation ceremony will be held at the university’s
Campus Community Garden on Monday, August 23 at 4 p.m.
Established in March 2021, the SSU Community Garden started with 16
eight-foot-square plots and is now up to 26 plots due to high demand. A “take-home” box is maintained in the garden to
offer produce free to anyone on campus.
In addition to reducing food insecurity,
the Savannah State Campus Community Garden has three specific goals:
●
To expand nutritional awareness
and inspire healthy eating habits by encouraging gardening
●
To provide opportunities for
positive social interaction in an attractive setting
where the campus community can work together in a healthy pursuit
●
To offer a peaceful garden setting
to enjoy year-round
“The support of Center Parc Credit Union
allows us to buy compost and soil to help improve the health of our soil, and
to purchase a tiller to help prepare plots as we move from season to season,”
said Joline Keevy, assistant director of Savannah State University’s
International Education Center and one of the garden’s founders. “The students
got so excited when I told them we would add some garden benches and swings, so
they could come and enjoy the garden, even if they don’t want to plant and grow
anything.”
Williams says the financial institution encourages local nonprofits with community-oriented gardening plans to apply for future Center Parc Credit Union sponsorships at www.centerparc.org.
ABOUT
CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION
Center Parc Credit Union is a division of APCU, the
oldest credit union in the state of Georgia. In September 2020, two new Center
Parc Credit Union locations opened in the Savannah area: at the Pooler Walmart,
160 Pooler Parkway, and the Savannah Walmart, 6000 Ogeechee Road. The company
is also planning to open a free-standing flagship branch in Savannah in 2022.
An ongoing community gardens program was launched in August 2020. The
member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative is dedicated to helping
hardworking people save money and prosper. Each member’s funds are insured for
up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For more
information, call 800-849-8431, email info@centerparc.org or visit online at www.centerparc.org
ABOUT
THE SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Community Garden at Savannah State University is a
place for students, faculty, and staff members to come together to meet new
people, grow healthy foods, and enjoy a peaceful respite from day-to-day
stresses. Through the development of this garden, SSU hopes to engage students
and their campus community with hands-on learning experiences with gardening.
The garden offers 8’x8’ plots that will be used to grow vegetables and fruit. The
garden’s planners want everyone involved to learn the importance of knowing
where the food they eat comes from and what chemicals have been used in the
growing process. They also see the garden as a means for students who face food
insecurities to grow healthy foods affordably. Learn more.