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Growling Garden (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Addressing community health
└ Addressing community health
Many low-income Pocatello residents have limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Growling Garden, a community-based organization that addresses food insecurity, worked to address this by providing families with raised garden box kits. Each family received a three-tiered garden box, seed packets, compost and trowels to help them plant a backyard garden. The project helped economically strapped families extend their food budgets and gain access to healthy produce.
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Barnwell, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: In Barnwell County, high obesity rates and limited access to fresh produce left many older adults at risk for chronic disease. To address this, the market launched the Nutrition Kitchen initiative, offering 12 hands-on workshops and cooking demos that taught healthy eating and meal planning. Participants received recipe cards, educational materials and produce vouchers, making it easier to apply what they learned. The program boosted farmers market attendance and inspired lasting changes-attendees reported cooking more at home, eating more fruits and vegetables and being more physically active, strengthening health and community ties.
New Castle County, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, staff at the Latin American Community Center knew they needed to begin outreach efforts to ensure that New Castle's Latino communities received information about staying safe. "Most of our community are essential workers, so it has affected us greatly," said Alicia Dominguez, community engagement coordinator for the ConneXiones initiative. "We have clients who are positive in COVID and aren't able to work." The Center conducted a community assessment and developed an action plan. They then held pop-up testing sites and vaccination events, which reached many residents. In addition, LACC supported programs to connect residents to food assistance and rent or mortgage relief.
Jackson, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Jackson residents in low-income neighborhoods faced barriers to fresh food due to limited transportation and high grocery costs. To fill that gap, the City of Jackson built and stocked two community fridges at local service sites, each surrounded by resident-painted frames featuring murals of fruits and vegetables. Volunteers, including older adults, helped decorate and maintain the fridges, which quickly drew steady use. The effort provided consistent access to fresh food and fostered a sense of community pride. "It helps me feed my family and get by," said one resident caring for his nieces, reflecting how the project offered both nourishment and dignity to those struggling with food insecurity.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Pocatello, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Not every Pocatello neighborhood has its own public park or gathering space. To give residents a way to gather outside, NeighborWorks Pocatello created its Block Party Trailer. Equipped with folding picnic tables, chairs, cornhole games, an outdoor movie screen, collapsible garbage bins and more, the 22-foot trailer helps neighbors easily host block parties and other outdoor gatherings. "This will help people not only get to know their neighbors, but also just get them out into their neighborhoods," Neighborworks Community Equipment Manager Lisa Smith said.
Pocatello, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: Older adults in southeast Idaho lost access to fitness classes and educational programs after a longtime venue closed, leaving volunteers searching for a permanent home. To build support for a Lifelong Learning Center, United Seniors Project hosted a "Walk About the Property" event where residents toured the future site, viewed plans and shared feedback. Informational materials, signage and music created a welcoming atmosphere. The event sparked momentum for a capital campaign and gave older adults and other community members a voice in shaping a space designed for learning, wellness and intergenerational connection.
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