05 Mar Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) Recently Received a Grant for $15,000 From the Menorah Legacy Foundation

Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) recently received a grant for $15,000 from the Menorah Legacy Foundation to support the Orchard and Community Garden Project.

Funds will be used to purchase additional garden beds, garden gates, gourd houses, table and seating, annual supplies, composting supplies, production and distribution of the Cooking Green video, direct labor costs, and administrative overhead costs.

Poverty and hunger are a common problem in the Boston Heights and Mount Hope Neighborhood. This neighborhood, bordered by Paseo Blvd on the west, Armour Blvd on the south, Michigan and Woodland Avenues on the East and 27th Street on the north, is one where people work hard, but struggle to provide for their families. Here you will find older homes, in need of repair, yet simply cared for by those who live in them. Parents are trying to do the best for their children, but struggle to make ends meet. They are trying their best to ensure their family is not hungry and that their children stay healthy enough to go to school each day.MLM believes this project will not only provide food for the hungry, but also increase the self sufficiency of those clients with whom it works by providing these families the space and expertise to learn how to grow their own produce.

Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM) has a strong history of providing nutritional food to those in poverty in Kansas City.  MLM was in founded in 1971 to serve the poor, older adult and disabled members of the Kansas City community, starting with a food pantry service for those who were hungry.  In 1979, MLM founded the Harvesters Community Food Bank, which has worked with the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City and Kansas City Community Gardens to create a demonstration garden at Harvesters. MLM also founded the Kansas City Community Gardens, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income households by helping them grow their own nutritious fruits and vegetables.  So far in 2013, MLM has distributed food to over 2,350 unduplicated families through its Central Food Pantry.