To teach participants how to grow their own vegetables, The Salvation Army’s Community Church in Belleville, Ontario, in cooperation with the Community Development Council, organizes the community garden initiative each spring.

Since the incorporation of The Salvation Army’s garden in 2017, members of the program have raised 24 vegetable-rich garden beds, a skill that can prevent food insecurity.

While participants of the garden initiative can keep the vegetables they grow, some of them share the harvest with others who may be in need.

In addition to the benefits that come with maintaining a garden, one participant stated that getting involved in this program also brings togetherness within the local community.