Growing Goodness: Gerald Supports Community Garden Organization

Charity Blooms is teaming up with Gerald Subaru North Aurora to help create a healthier community through access to fresh produce.

Fund the Farm, a virtual fundraiser sponsored by Gerald Subaru North Aurora, is taking place throughout the month of March to benefit Charity Blooms. Money raised will provide much needed upgrades and modernization of the organization’s infrastructure and watering systems to help better serve the community. Based in Aurora, Charity Blooms is a 501c3 nonprofit community garden management company working with hundreds of volunteers to grow fresh vegetables for the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.

Founded in 2017 by three friends wanting to feed others through a community garden, the organization grows between 4,000-5,000 pounds of fresh vegetables each year on multiple properties.

“What started out as a hobby has grown so big that we are looking to grow even bigger,” said Social Media Coordinator and Farm Volunteer Jami McKenna. “Our current resources have been used to their full potential. In order to become more efficient and produce more vegetables for our community, we need to invest in our infrastructure.”

Charity Blooms has no paid staff. Volunteering for the organization does not require agricultural experience — just a passion for helping others. Gerald Auto Group has played a major role in helping Charity Blooms fulfill its mission throughout the fundraiser, providing everything from collapsible water bottles to marketing materials and a community presence for the organization.

“We are a tiny nonprofit community garden with a big passion — but little exposure,” McKenna said. “Gerald’s participation shines a light on our purpose and cause. Their support is immeasurable. We are thrilled to be working with a company that cares so much about the community they serve.”

In addition to growing produce for families in need, Charity Blooms hosts free cooking classes through a Summer Cooking Series. The classes feature farm-to-table recipes taught by experienced chefs.

“Access to fresh produce is vital to healthy communities and healthy families,” said Donna Lawler of the Gerald Auto Group. “We are proud to support Charity Blooms through Fund the Farm and assist in helping them expand their resources to better serve others.”

Want to donate to Fund the Farm? Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-the-farm-and-help-us-grow. To learn more about Charity Blooms, visit https://www.charityblooms.org/. Sign up for Summer Cooking Series classes here: https://www.charityblooms.org/summercookingseries.

To learn more about Gerald Subaru North Aurora, visit https://www.geraldsubarunorthaurora.com/.