Palatine school nurtures community garden for food pantries

Want to come help me weed?

That was the question posed to the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 school board this week.

The joke drew some loud laughter at the board meeting, but it also was a parent's invitation to see a community garden taking shape at Lake Louise Elementary School in Palatine.

Sunflowers, sugar snap peas and corn have all been planted by students and volunteers. The PTA hatched on the idea for the garden last year. And already, their nurturing has paid off: Vitamin-packed veggies grown in the garden have lined the shelves at the Palatine Township food pantry.

Organizers say the garden fills a need in an area with limited access to fresh produce.

To follow the progress of the garden, view the PTA's Instagram account.