Johnson College Receives $3,000 Swipe Out Hunger Grant Johnson College has been awarded a $3,000 grant from Swipe Out Hunger to strengthen food security support for its campus community. The funding will enhance the Refuel Station, Johnson College’s food and resource pantry. The Refuel Station is available to students, staff, and faculty and currently provides access to non-perishable foods, pantry staples, and guidance related to local food insecurity resources. With this grant, the College will be able to supplement the variety of foods provided by The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, purchase additional shelving to expand storage capacity, and acquire a mini-fridge to safely store dairy and other perishable items. These improvements will help ensure that the campus community has reliable access to nutritious resources throughout the year. Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit focused on addressing food insecurity among college students. The organization works with colleges, legislators, and community partners to develop and support programs that increase access to food and essential resources on campuses across the country. Funding for this grant is provided by The Giant Company, a proud partner of Swipe Out Hunger. Giant’s investment helps expand access to nutritious food for college students, ensuring that no one has to choose between learning and eating. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Keystone Mission Keeps Growing with New Community Garden The Seeds of Hope Community Garden will soon extend across Keystone Mission facilities as a new in-house program for guests experiencing homelessness. The Seeds of Hope program is designed to facilitate the dual development of life and vocational skills. The initiative engages Center guests, staff, and the local community to actively participate in planning, growing, and harvesting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Guests are integral to the planning process and are responsible for the ongoing garden maintenance throughout the season. As part of this hands-on experience, guests utilize the harvested fruits and vegetables to prepare meals, concurrently gaining insights into their nutritional value. “Learning to cultivate crops addresses both food insecurity, which greatly affects unsheltered individuals but also equips individuals with transferable skills that may enhance their employability,” says Lasha Wyman-Klein, Scranton Program Director. Beginning in May, planning committees are set to be in place and the gardens will be active in their Scranton & Wilkes-Barre locations. “One of the goals we hope to accomplish by establishing this community garden is how best we can foster positive relationships between the community and the unhoused/unsheltered/homeless population,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. Keystone Mission is seeking community individuals & businesses to become part of their planning committee and work alongside staff and guests. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.KeystoneMission.org/seeds-of-hope.
