Woodland Elementary West Sprouts Harvest Garden to Help Food Pantry

Gages Lake -- Students may not be working in classrooms at Woodland Elementary West this summer, but their efforts are harvesting results for residents who benefit from the Warren Township Food Pantry.

Under the guidance of Elementary West Math Specialist Mary Beth Brierton and Resource Teacher Stacey Thiesse, students planted cabbage, squash, tomatoes and other vegetables in the Harvest Garden located at the school and the vegetables are starting to be harvested as fresh produce donations for the pantry. The Harvest Garden dates back 14 years when former Principal Ann Goldbach introduced the idea at Elementary West.

"The garden tradition is a way for students to learn a little about how they may someday grow their own vegetables as well as how to give back to the community," Mrs. Brierton said.

The garden is a community effort with the Gurnee Park District tilling the soil, Warren Township providing mulch, the students planting and tending to the vegetables, and the township giving away vegetables to families in need, she added. This year Home Depot of Mundelein donated the plants.

Classes were assigned specific spots in the garden to grow their type of vegetable. Mrs. Brierton and other instructors showed children how to plant each plant and the garden is being nurtured this summer by volunteer staff, students and parents.

For more information about the garden, contact Mrs. Brierton at mbrierton@dist50.net.