COLBY, Kan. – (TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020)
This growing season, volunteer members of Copeland Garden in Colby have been busy cultivating both produce and kindness.
Several plots at the garden are sponsored by the Thomas County Coalition, a nonprofit organization which operates under the direction of LiveWell Northwest Kansas. Produce from coalition plots, as well as fruits and vegetables that grow along a tunneled trellis and inside a separate garden patch, are tended to by Copeland Garden committee members and shared with those in need throughout the community.
On Tuesday morning, Thomas County Coalition Coordinator Christina Beringer and Copeland Garden Co-Coordinator Maureen Ostmeyer delivered two heaping baskets of yellow squash, cucumbers, and recipe cards to Genesis- Thomas County Food Pantry for this week’s food distribution.
“This is just a small way we can pay kindness forward and give back to our community,” said Beringer. “Almost everything at the garden has either been donated or received through the support of a grant award. Even the land and water are donated to us by the City of Colby.
“Our garden would not be possible without the kindness support of our community leaders. Contributing to Genesis is one way we can show our gratitude.”
In addition to Beringer and Ostmeyer, Copeland Garden Committee Members include Nicole Olsen, Delin Thompson and Nolan Hull. In May, Hull was awarded the Community Service Award from the Colby/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce for his efforts to establish Copeland Garden.
Information about the garden can be found at https://www.livewellnwk.org/communitygarden. Contact Ostmeyer if you would like to give a monetary or in-kind donation, or if you’d like to sign up for a garden plot next year.
PHOTO CAPTION : On Tuesday morning, Genesis- Thomas County Board Member Ann Miner accepted two heaping baskets of produce from Thomas County Coalition Coordinator Christina Beringer (left) and Copeland Garden Co-Coordinator Maureen Ostmeyer (right). The donated produce will be given to families in need on Wednesday this week. Photo Credit: Barry Kaaz, Thomas County Community Foundation