Palatine Township Volunteers Garden to Help Replenish the Food Pantry

In the spring of 2014, an Eagle Scout project created by Robert Jacques of BSA Troop 182 was established at the Palatine Township Center, 721 S. Quentin Road. The project included the construction of three raised beds that were planted with vegetables and tended to by Jacques and a group of his own volunteers. When he went off to college the following year, the garden was in need of people to take over those duties.

Today, several volunteers have picked up where Jacques left off and tend to the garden regularly. It provides fresh produce that helps to stock the shelves of the Palatine Township Food Pantry.

"To be able to help sustain the food pantry with fresh produce that our in-need residents may not otherwise be able to afford is exactly what we wanted to do here," said Sharon Langlotz-Johnson, Palatine Township Supervisor. "We are thankful to Robert for creating this opportunity for our residents to help others in need, in this way."

The garden is located in the grassy area north of the Palatine Township Center parking lot. Volunteers work alongside the food pantry manager to determine what crops to plant for the following year.

Leslie Brobst is one of the volunteers who responded when a call went out for help to tend the garden in 2015. She says the experience has been extremely gratifying, for many reasons.

"Not only does gardening keep you physically active, but it also encourages friendships with your fellow gardeners," Brobst said. "Most importantly, it is very satisfying to know we are helping to alleviate hunger with healthy options for our fellow residents who are experiencing hardship throughout our Township."

Other volunteers include Deb Cross, Kameron Hiu, Matthew Cichy, and their daughter Aly who come to water, weed and harvest the garden on a regular basis.

Eagle Scout Jacques solicited donations to cover all costs of the project, including labor, materials and equipment.

For more information on all of the services and programs offered by Palatine Township, visit www.PalatineTownship.com