Akron, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Shanti Community Farms created a Nepali garden to give older adults in Akron's diverse neighborhoods a place to grow familiar foods and reconnect with cultural traditions. Elevated beds made gardening easier, and families cultivated potatoes, mustard greens and Asian eggplant while preparing traditional dishes for picnics and farmers markets. The project boosted physical activity, improved diets and generated income through sales. It also strengthened intergenerational ties as grandparents gardened alongside grandchildren, reducing isolation and fostering community pride. Plans to expand into an education center promise lasting benefits.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Fulton, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: A neglected downtown gazebo was long in disrepair, eroding community pride and limiting public use. Volunteers revived it by cleaning, painting and adding flowers, trees and banners, turning it into a centerpiece. Older adults led improvements to 17 public gardens and created a new logo displayed on garden flags citywide. The effort reignited civic spirit, prompting the return of the Fulton Garden Club after 15 years. "Wow that looks great... You guys are the best! Thank you for caring," said one resident. Plans for more projects are already underway.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Seattle, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project spruced up the rooftop Pike Place Market Secret Garden, allowing volunteer gardeners to produce more fruits and vegetables there. All produce grown in the garden is provided to the Pike Market Food Bank, with nearly 500 fresh herbs and vegetables donated each year. In addition, the garden hosts intergenerational activities organized by a nearby assisted living facility, a childcare center and a preschool. The Pike Market Food Bank also received an AARP Community Challenge grant in 2019, which allowed it to install directional signage to help visitors find its hard-to-reach location. Established in 1982, the Pike Place Market Foundation aims to help low-income and unhoused Seattle residents who live in the neighborhood.