GRuB Seeks Community Support to Replace Lost Funding

By Elizabeth Jenkins

GRuB, an Olympia-based nonprofit, is suffering the brunt of government cutbacks after losing a significant contribution to its Kitchen Garden Project. For the first time in over a decade, the project is receiving funding from only one local agency.

The City of Lacey is contributing $3,500, but the nonprofit is still at a deficit of $20,000 after losing an anticipated grant from the Thurston County Human Services Review Council.

GRuB provides low-income people with access to fresh produce and gardening workshops. The KGP, which is projected to cost $160,000 this year, offers its recipients raised garden beds, seeds, starter plants, and cover crops. If the nonprofit is unable to make up the budget deficit, it may be faced with reducing services and gardens built for families in Thurston & Mason County.

Anna Robinson, GRuB’s Grants and Marketing Coordinator, sees this challenge as “a unique opportunity” for the community to “step up” and close the funding gap. The nonprofit has created sponsorship levels between $500-$5,000. At the $500 level (Give a Garden), sponsors will ensure that a family has access to mentoring workshops and growing their own food. Proceeds for the $5,000 contribution (Adopt a Community) will go toward building thirty raised garden beds and can potentially feed ten families.

Patti Swanson, an Administrative Services Manger for the Thurston County Human Services Review Council, says that 22 proposals were submitted this year. The council reviews and ranks the nonprofits, providing funding recommendations to the participating jurisdictions of Lacey and Olympia. “Many good proposals were not able to be funded,” said Swanson.

GRuB’s ability to service the community depends on contributions and volunteer support. For a nonprofit that values neighborhood leadership, this setback will allow stakeholders to emerge in the sustainable food movement.

Sarahann Swain, a GRuB Board Member and KGP Gardener, says that the “idea of having a garden…is just the tip of the iceberg” of what the nonprofit accomplishes. “I’ve made friends with people in the community I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise. I’ve had opportunities to help others. All of this is as deep a blessing as that wonderful food the garden has grown.” 

To donate, visit: http://goodgrub.org/kitchen-garden-project/donate-a-garden/

• GIVE A GARDEN……….$500
  Support a family in need. Giving a garden not only puts food on the table, it connects a family to workshops and mentoring that help new gardeners succeed in growing healthy fruits and vegetables.
• GIVING GARDEN……….$1,000
  GRuB will come to your home and help you build three 4 foot by 8 foot raised beds. But that’s not all! You also give the gift of three raised beds to a family in need.
• ADOPT A NEIGHBORHOOD……….$2,500
  When you Adopt a Neighborhood, you support our efforts to enhance food security for five families. Donating at this level allows GRuB to build fifteen 4 foot by 8 foot raised beds.
• ADOPT A COMMUNITY……….$5,000
  Adopting a Community helps GRuB build thirty 4 foot by 8 foot raised beds; supporting our efforts to bring food security to at least ten families.