Clients of the Red River Valley Food Bank and Senior Services in Morris now have access to fresh vegetables. Members of both organizations have come together to create the Morris Garden Project which has established ten raised vegetable gardens in the community, allowing clients to grow their own food. Pat Rempel runs the food bank and says it all started when she was asked by a firm if there was a need for these gardens, and after checking with the clientele learned that many were interested in getting involved. "At that time, Cheryl (Waldner) from Senior Services had come in to get food for one of her clients and she heard me ask the question, and she said that she would be very interested in being part of this with me."

Waldner adds the initiative kind of unfolded before them and says organizers didn't really have to look for funding to get the ball rolling. "People came to us and asked us if we would like to fill out an application form for a grant, so we got grants from three different places. And some donations from people in town."

As for how the gardens are maintained, Waldner explains a small board was formed that looks after lawn care around the beds and make sure there is water in the water barrels. She adds the clients are tasked with planting and weeding the gardens as well as cleaning up the site after the season is over. "They have signed a contract that they would take care of the garden. If they don't take care of it, if they neglect it, then they end up losing it and we pass the garden on to someone else who would like to have it."

Waldner adds they've also got some special needs clients involved as well.

Rempel adds the gardeners are encouraged to donate any leftover veggies to the food bank to help others have access to fresh vegetables.

Plans are in the works to build some more raised garden beds next summer.