(News Release by Randie Scott)
On June 6th, the L.I.N.C. (Long Term Inmates Now in the Community) Society was generously provided a $10K grant by Vancouver City Savings Credit Union for its “Growing, Gleaning and Storing Project”. The Mission Soapbox Community Organic Garden is located adjacent to the Mission Leisure Centre. The District of Mission Council recently adopted a resolution to renew L.I.N.C.’s management of the garden for another three years.
L.I.N.C. Executive Director Sherry Edmunds-Flett said “L.I.N.C. is quite pleased to receive the grant from VanCity and we appreciate their commitment to our Mission community project.
This will further enable us to give back to our local area and provide offenders the opportunity to contribute to our community. Our offenders are taught how to manage a garden ‘from seed to sale’ including record keeping, organic certification processes, public communication and education.”
VanCity Mission Branch Manager Grace Saris presented the $10K cheque and commented “VanCity is pleased to support the L.I.N.C. Society to help promote a viable and sustainable local food system, especially one that contributes to a healthier environment, improved individual health and the local community.”
L.I.N.C. has been managing the 20 year-old garden since January 2010 and has been active in providing opportunities for community gardening and education. The garden is used by seniors, single moms, others with low incomes and families who want to provide an environmental experience for their children. The project also provides offenders being released back into the community with meaningful opportunities to give back to society.
The garden educates people about food security through various events including an open house, the Mission Celebration of Community and informal garden tours. Vegetables from the L.I.N.C . plots are sold at the Mission Farmer’s Market to assist with funding of peer support groups for survivors of homicide and other worthwhile groups.
Matched to photo above ( Left to Right):
Randie Scott, LINC Board
Brenda Marshall, LINC Board Chairperson
Sherry Edmunds-Flett, LINC Executive Director
Grace Saris, Mission Branch Manager, Vancity
Shawn Jodway, LINC Board
Matthew Pusic, Mission Assistant Branch Manager, Vancity
Corrine Jewer, Accounts Manager, Vancity
Louise Pochailo, Community Programs Grants Senior Coordinator, Vancity