The Squamish Helping Hands Society (SHHS) is spearheading a community-based urban agriculture project that promises to turn an empty downtown concrete lot into a bountiful garden.
On April 2, the homeless shelter will host a hands-on workshop - in collaboration with the Squamish CAN Food Group - that will teach participants how to build raised garden boxes. Four three-foot-tall boxes will be built next to the existing four. As well, advantages and tips for raised-bed gardening will be discussed, and lunch will be provided.
"We're really excited about the garden boxes," said SHHS caseworker manager Andrea Purton. "It's going to be great to have fresh veggies all summer long for our clients and for the neighbourhood."
The boxes will be planted and maintained with the help of the shelter's clients, and will grow food for the shelter and for the Helping Hands Food Distribution Program, where healthy, fresh food is distributed to fixed income Squamish residents.
Building materials will be supplied, but participants who still want to bring their own tools can do so. Recommended are a drill, a tape measure, a pencil, a staple gun, a utility knife and work gloves.
In addition to putting together four raised garden boxes, participants will build four cold-frame hoophouses to go over existing beds. A cold-frame hoophouse is an unheated greenhouse that allows for an extended gardening season.
The workshop is open to everyone, and admission will be by donation, with proceeds split between between Helping Hands and Squamish CAN.
"We have a nice healthy lunch with a made-from-scratch soup with lots of veggies, a fresh salad and a nice sandwich," Purton said. "People can have coffee here, too."
Interested parties are asked to meet on Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. at the garden boxes outside the Helping Hands Shelter at 37930 Third Ave., just behind the Squamish Public Library. A lunch break will take place from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and the workshop will conclude at 2 p.m.
Although not mandatory, Purton said RSVPs are appreciated, and for anyone with questions to contact her at (604) 815-4984 or by email at [email protected].
"It's going to be fun, and it's going to be rain or shine," she said. "For the Squamish residents with all their rain gear, if it's raining, come on out."
The wood for the boxes has been generously donated by Rona.
