The Phoenix Revitalization Corporation (PRC), a non-profit community development organization in Phoenix, Ariz., firmly believes that everyone, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, should have access to nutritious food. And, so does the Sundt Foundation. That’s why we recently funded the PRC’s request for a grant to assist their Central City South community gardens program.
Central City South is a community located immediately south of the Phoenix Downtown Business District and the Arizona State Capitol Mall. The $5,000 grant from the Sundt Foundation helped support the neighborhood’s existing community gardens, enhance two new gardens, and address the issue of obesity among the community’s youth through the development of a mini farmers market and healthy eating education presentations.
“These gardens are not just community projects that provide opportunities for engagement; they are literally putting food on the tables of families in our neighborhoods,” said Kendall Drake, the organization’s civic engagement program manager.
PRC’s community gardens program provides area residents with education and resources to access nutritious and healthy food at affordable prices. Residents receive education and technical assistance to plan, select items, plant and harvest their community garden. Additionally, they form garden clubs at each site to increase the socialization opportunities and create a project of great pride.
The Sundt Foundation raises money primarily through contributions from Sundt employees, which are then matched dollar-for-dollar by the company. Since its inception in 1999 the Foundation has made grants totaling more than $5 million to hundreds of worthy organizations. Most grants are awarded in communities where Sundt has an established office. Employees can also direct their donations to charitable organizations that benefit members of the military and their families.