MANY, La – The Town of Many and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Team up with the United Way to Make a Community Garden at Nursing Homes in Many.
The Town of Many applied for and received a grant from the United Way for $2,616 in late 2019, but COVID restrictions in early 2020 delayed the project until this month.
The Sheriff’s Office partnered with the town and Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputy Johnny Rivers along with his Trustee helper, built three raised garden boxes that are 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 18 inches deep. The boxes were delivered to both nursing homes in town, filled with sand and garden soil, and were ready to plant this week.
Sharon Chance, Activities Director at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation on Fisher Road, along with three CNAs helped seven residents plant tomatoes, okra, and zucchini squash on a recent sunny day. “We really appreciate you thinking of us for this project”, said Chance. “Our residents have been so excited when they were told they could garden right here at their home”, she added. Two additional pots for the Alzheimer’s Unit were planted with okra in one and a tomato plant in another.Stephanie Holden, the Activities Director at Many Healthcare and Rehab Center on Natchitoches Highway expressed her thanks to the Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Many for placing two of the raised garden boxes at their facility. “Our residents have been isolated for so long due to the pandemic, and now they are excited to have something fun to do outside”, she said.
Holden went on to say that “they are ready to get outside and play in the dirt and to grow vegetables and flowers in their boxes.”
The Town of Many wishes to thank the United Way for funding the grant and the Sheriff’s Office for providing the labor to build the boxes. Grant monies paid for the lumber and the plants, soil, and gardening supplies.
SOURCE: SPSO
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