community gardensUp until now, local gardeners tending plots at Timmins’ two community gardens had to haul their own water from home or wait for water trucks. However, growing fresh produce has just become much easier thanks to separate funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and Kidd Operations.

The Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins (ACT) are pleased to announce that the Timmins Community Gardens is the recipient of a $15,000 OTF grant and a separate $5,000 grant from Kidd Operations.

The combined funding awarded was used for the construction of a permanent, on-site water source at the two community gardens locations: the Riverview Site which will be renamed the Kidd Operations Community Gardens in recognition of the company’s grant, and the Rotary Community Gardens – Northern College Site.  The permanent water source will assist in the long-term sustainability of the gardens, as well as that of Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins.

“Congratulations to all involved with this “growing” community project. The Timmins Community Gardens have pulled the community together offering the opportunity for families to grow their own goodness.  The Ontario Trillium Foundation and Kidd Operations’ funds are well deserved and, I’m sure, very much appreciated by Community Gardens and the folks who enjoy them.   I wish nothing but the freshest produce from your gardens and once again, congratulations,” said Gilles Bisson, MPP for Timmins-James Bay.

The Timmins Community Gardens began at one location with 36 plots in 2010 and expanded to 122 plots in two locations by 2013.  The first gardens, the Riverview Site, began with 36 plots in 2010 and expanded to 86 plots in 2011.  The second gardens, the Rotary Community Gardens – Northern College Site, began as 22 plots in 2012 and expanded to 36 plots in 2013.

The goal of the community gardens is to provide a space for residents to grow their own produce.  This in turn allows gardeners to be healthy and active members of the community, contributes to local food security, and creates pride for both the gardeners and the community as a whole.  The community gardens are managed by a volunteer group of hard working dedicated individuals representing a collaborative partnership including Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins.

“With this project, we recognized a number of health, safety, environmental and community impact benefits. Access to a permanent water source at the community gardens means that people of varying physical abilities and limited access to transportation will no longer have to haul their own water. It will mean the elimination of large truck deliveries and it will contribute to local food security while contributing to the sustainability of the Gardens and of Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins,” said Kidd Operations’ David Yaschyshyn, Manager of Environment.  “We are proud to be one of the partners in this project alongside the Ontario Trillium Foundation.”

The gardeners and committee members of the Timmins Community Gardens thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Kidd Operations for providing the funding to make this project a success.

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.

For more information, please visit: www.otf.ca

Through its Community Partnership Program, Kidd Operations invests in long-term, sustainable community development.  The program reflects their corporate belief that communities should benefit from their operations, both in the short- and long-term.  The aim of their Community Partnership Program goes beyond traditional philanthropic corporate donations and strives towards creating meaningful and lasting positive impact within the community. Since 2007, Kidd Operations’ Community Partnership Program has provided nearly $4 million to community organizations and projects.

Website: www.kiddoperations.ca