2021 Armstrong Garden Club Community Donations

News Media Release: November 8, 2021

Seasonal giving came early this year as the Armstrong Garden Club distributed funds to support local food-related initiatives and garden-related programs.

“Thanks to the community, we had a successful plant sale this past May. We’re using the funds we’ve raised to support others in the community that could use some help,” says Glenn Gytenbeek, President of the Armstrong and District Garden Club.

About one in five children experience food insecurity so by providing funds to the Armstrong Food Bank, the Good Fox Box, and food programs at local elementary, middle, and high schools, the Garden Club is helping to provide a consistent, healthy supply of food to students and families.

“We are so grateful for the donation from the Armstrong and District Garden Club to our Breakfast program.  It means that all our students can access food in the morning.  Having food is a good way to start the school day, ” adds Cora-Lee Baker, Learning Resource Teacher at Len Wood Middle School.

John Hoile of the Lunch Program says, “The Armstrong Garden Club donation helps the lunch program purchase foods that we normally don’t receive through donations. We are now providing 37 lunches to high school, middle school, and elementary students in Armstrong.”

In addition to food programs, the Club provided funds to the Community Gardens to replace rotten garden beds and funds to support the Communities in Bloom Society which is a Canada-wide non-profit which fosters civic pride and environmental responsibility through community involvement.

Two bursaries have also been allocated for Pleasant Valley Secondary School for students pursuing post-secondary education in a field related to agriculture, environmental science, forestry, or similar disciplines. Armstrong Garden Club is planning to hold another plant sale in May of 2022.

For more information on the Armstrong Garden Club or to find out about how you can join, visit: https://armstronggardenclub.com/join/

For a full list of community donation recipients and amounts, visit: https://armstronggardenclub.com/2021-community-donations/

Armstrong & District Garden Club Donation to the Good Food Box (October 2021) – Diane Fleming of Good Food Box and Glenn Gytenbeek of Armstrong & District Garden Club

Rea Smith, Armstrong Community Garden Coordinator, and volunteer Marlene accept a cheque from Armstrong Garden Club’s President Glenn Gytenbeek

John Hoile of the School Lunch Program at Glad Tidings Church accepts a cheque from Armstrong and District Garden Club President Glenn Gytenbeek

Cora-Lee Baker, Learning Resource Teacher, Len Wood Middle School, accepts a cheque for the School Breakfast Club from Glenn Gytenbeek, President of the Armstrong and District Garden Club.

Shirley Fowler of Communities in Bloom with Glenn Gytenbeek of the Armstrong Garden Club

ADGC Presentation to Rob Ellis, Principal of Highland Park with Glenn Gytenbeek for the School Food Program

Highland Park Elementary School Principal Rob Ellis received a donation from the Armstrong Garden Club for the school food program in October 2021.

Armstrong Garden Club Donation to Armstrong Food Bank (Glenn, Jennifer, and Karen on October 29, 2021)