Food Revival

If you live in Birmingham, Alabama and you haven't heard of West End Community Gardens, I am so pleased to introduce y'all. I am so proud to be connected to these wonderful folks and of the work they are doing in West End.

West End Community Gardens (affectionately known as WE Community Gardens) is a project of Urban Ministry, Inc and Community Church Without Walls. Forgive the formality, but I think it is important to understand how all of the work is connected. Urban Ministry, Inc., is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that has continued to meet the needs of residents in Birmingham since its founding in 1976. In 2008, building on its foundation as a strong community-based organization in West End and recognizing the lack of access to fresh and healthy foods, Urban Ministry partnered with Community Church Without Walls, a mission-based, United Methodist church that meets in the homes of its members, to create WE Community Gardens.  In a short period of time, WE Community Gardens (which is fully organic) has made a huge impact:

• 16 families had 4’x8’ community garden plots, all of which provided fresh and healthy produce to the childrens' families from Urban Ministry’s after school program and learned to garden and prepare healthy food grown in the youth garden area
• Hundreds of community residents participated in educational and nutritional classes once a month
• Juvenile offenders were able to learn about gardening and healthy eating habits thanks to an innovative program that allowed them to fulfill their court ordered community service while working in the Gardens.

But, the future is even brighter. In May 2010, Urban Ministry will start and staff a curb market in West End, meant to encourage youth engagement while offering produce from WE Community Gardens to the larger West End community.You will also see West End Community Gardens at Pepper Place Market each Saturday morning. Ama Shambulia, WE Community Gardens Program Director, will continue her educational and nutritional classes in an effort called "3 Days, 3 Ways," which will introduce one seasonal item and the budget-friendly solutions to each week's menu.

To support all of these efforts, Cafe Dupont will host a fundraiser banquet on Saturday, March 20th from 6-9 pm with proceeds benefiting the Gardens. Ingredients will be sourced locally and by Whole Foods Market. Tickets are $125 per person, $225 per couple and you are encouraged to purchase online:www.communitychurchwithoutwalls.com. Simply click on “give” at the top of the page and then send an email to rglyons@gmail.com indicating your gift is to reserve a spot at the banquet. Or send a check addressed to Community Church without Walls, 1229 Cotton Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211.

Please click on the following links to find out about all of the partners associated with this event:
Cafe Dupont
Community Church Without Walls
Urban Ministry, Inc
Whole Foods Market

Yes, times are tough and we are all overstretched, but I am renewed by the movement that is happening in Birmingham. I hope to spend some time with you over dinner March 20th...