KUMI Canada Corporation in Bradford West Gwillimbury recently made a monetary donation to the Bradford Community Gardens located at Lions Park.
KUMI Canada purchased three plots at the BWG Community Gardens for a total $120. The extra plots will support many of the local non-profits and residents who utilize the gardens to save on their own food costs.
Gwen Cottingham, president of BWG Community Initiatives, has overseen the community gardens for the past three years. Proceeds from the garden plots are used to support the Community Initiatives’ Friday meals, but since Covid, the community dinners have not been running. The funds are now being redirected back into the community through other initiatives until the Friday meals commence again.
“It’s important for communities to know who is supporting these initiatives and showing they are supportive,” says Cottingham about KUMI’s donation.
Cottingham adds the community gardens needed a new hose this year, so, KUMI Canada also purchased a couple of new hoses and a sprinkler head.
Staff from KUMI Canada shared that the donation stemmed from a 'UN Sustainability Program' started at KUMI in Bradford.
"There was 12 different topics we picked to support," explains Paul O'Connor from KUMI Canada. "First one was hunger, so we supplied fresh fruits at work for staff. Then, do something for the community, so we picked to donate to the community gardens."
"And we donated to World Vision," adds Samantha Moffitt, employee at KUMI Canada in Bradford. "We donated a goat to a family in need and we also donated agricultural packs to families in need as well through financial donation."
"That's what we're doing each month," shares O'Connor. "We'll have a different topic next month that we'll cover, do something for our company, something for the community. We've always been apart of a lot of things in Bradford and we're very proud of this. We've always felt like we're apart of the community."
Local non-profits who regularly use the community gardens include the Out of the Cold Café, the Food Bank, and usually the Bradford LOFT (however the LOFT was short on volunteers this year and could not maintain a plot).
The Town of Bradford also purchased two additional plots this year, making the Community Gardens now full. Cottingham says she is in the process of lobbying for more plots. Each plot is typically 3 feet by 12 feet and costs $40 each per season.
“The town’s been really good,” shares Cottingham. “I’m really encouraged they’re on board to help with this!”
Cottingham saya she has been actively looking for at least six more plots but with room to add more in future. Locations both the town and Community Initiatives have already considered are The Danube Centre or Henderson Park.
“We’re hoping for something by next year,” she says.
The Community Initiatives will be looking for more volunteers once the province begins to open back up and the free Friday community meals resume again. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age and will be required to assist with cooking and serving meals on Fridays at the United Church in Bradford.
“A lot of my teams are seniors (vulnerable), so it’s just been on hold since,” Cottingham explains. “We are hoping to resume in September but in the meantime, we are still supplying food to the Out of the Cold Café – it’s our way to keep it going and help those less fortunate.”
If interested in becoming a volunteer, or if you wish to donate towards the Community Initiatives, contact Gwen Cottingham: [email protected]
