After a strong showing in 2014 and 2015, Goosefoot is raising the stakes with a bigger matching grant fundraising campaign for the South Whidbey School District Garden Program.
The non-profit community and economic development organization will match $30,000 raised from the community in an effort to help the program grow in size and curriculum. The community raised over $22,000 in 2014 and $26,048 in 2015 for garden-based K-7 food program. Goosefoot matched both totals for a combined $96,822 for the garden program.
“We’re doing better at raising the money, so we thought why not make this a big push,” said Goosefoot Executive Director Sandy Whiting.
Cary Peterson, garden program coordinator, said the increase will allow for more production at the Big ACRE garden in Bayview, the hiring of farm and curriculum apprentices, the addition of a garden for sixth-graders at Langley Middle School and more field trips for students. The program is the beneficiary of donations from Goosefoot and donors, as well as grants and regular funding from the school district.
“We’re incredibly appreciative of what Goosefoot is doing,” Peterson said. “We’ve got a lot of places where we’re ramping up the programs. Some of it involves growing more food.”
Peterson said last year’s funding helped expand the program to every student at the elementary school, and allowed them to host large meals on Taste Washington Day and Thanksgiving.
New things are also ahead for the program, Peterson said. In addition to growing the food, students will also be engaged in cooking and preparing the healthy snacks.
“The generosity of the community has really helped make this program grow, no pun intended,” Peterson said. “We’re not just teaching, but we’re starting a whole new generation of kids who know about healthy eating and love eating healthy food.”
Those who wish to donate may send a check, made payable to Goosefoot, to P.O. Box 114, Langley, WA 98260, or donate online at www.goosefoot.org. For questions about donating, contact Marian Myszkowski at marian@goosefoot.org or 360-321-4232.
