Mountain Mail reports
The Magdalena Samaritan Center launched a small pilot program of “Back Yard Food Gardening” in an effort to promote “Self Sufficiency, Sustainability and Healthy Foods” to the community. The program consists of two workshops taught by Tom Dean of the Socorro County Extension Center and were held at Magdalena Feed Company.
In the first workshop participants built 4 x 4 foot garden boxes large enough to grow everything needed to make a healthy salad. In the second workshop participants learned about soil, planting and how to extend the growing season by using a plastic tent around the garden box. There were 10 participants and all will report back to the Samaritan Center as to the success of their gardening experiences.
All the materials for the workshop were donated by area businesses including Raks, Wal-Mart, Alamo Plumbing and Trails End Market.
The Magdalena Samaritan Center, a non profit organization, currently distributes food to 75 families from Magdalena and surrounding area as well as operating its Thrift Shop. The food is donated through Road Runner Food Bank. Additional food is purchased by the center with funds contributed by the Friends of the Samaritan Center, who make a $10 per month donation. Funds are also raised by bake sales, especially the Annual Thanksgiving Pot Holders and Pies event.
The center is run by a team of dedicated volunteers. Many of the recipients also volunteer.
“It has really become about families helping families especially on our food distribution days. Everyone who is physically able pitches in,” volunteer Catherine DeMaria said. “It’s just another example of Magdalena taking care of its own.”
Pictured: Volunteers pitch in to construct 10 “grow boxes” at Magdalena Feed Company. The Garden Grow Box Project is an effort to promote the growing of one’s own vegetables and greens, and is to benefit the clients of the Magdalena Samaritan Center. Photo by Makeyen DeMaria-Gassoumis
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