Dear Gardeners and Friends,
A major part of Kansas City Community Gardens’ funding has been threatened to be cut and we need your help to secure it again!
Background Information:
KCCG has been receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds every year (except 2010) for the past 28 years.
KCCG has received $32,000-$39,000 for the past 12 years.
This year, city staff recommended KCCG for ZERO FUNDING for the upcoming funding year.
CDBG funding for KCCG provides garden support for low-income families and community groups. Funds are used for garden tilling, garden improvements, water, insurance and staff support.
The number of food gardens has increased dramatically over the last four years. KCCG is currently assisting over 990 low-income families, 178 community groups and 105 schools produce food from gardens. The majority of these gardens are in KCMO.
KCMO’s City Council recently adopted Resolution 120046 that supports improved access to healthy foods for KCMO residents. This resolution recognizes the value of efforts of citizens to produce food from community gardens and home gardens.
Here’s how you can help:
1) Join us for any of the following meetings to show support for KCCG:
City Council Public Budget Hearing: Saturday, February 18 at 10:00am-12:00pm at the Robert J. Mohart Center, 3200 Wayne Ave. Kansas City, MO 64109
CDBG Hearing: Friday, February 29 at 1:30pm at City Hall, 414 East 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64106 (City Council Chambers, 26th floor)
City Council Public Budget Hearing: Friday, February 29 at 7-9:00pm at Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Road Kansas City, MO 64134
If you are able to attend one of these meetings, please contact Earlene Franks at 816-931-3877 or earlene@kccg.org to let her know you are going to attend. Although all these meetings are critical, we are hoping to have an especially large showing at the CDBG hearing. Transportation from KCCG to the CDBG hearing is available. We will leave KCCG offices (6917 Kensington KCMO 64132) at 12:30pm, February 29.
2) E-mail, call or write your city council representatives and tell them in your own words that food gardens are very important to our city and that you think that KCCG should receive full funding. You can use the information listed above, but we also encourage you to share your own story of how KCCG has helped you and/or your community.
If you are not a KCMO resident, please e-mail, call or write the mayors office. Click here to find names, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and phone numbers for city council representatives and the mayor.
Thank you for your continued support. Please call Earlene in the Kansas City Community Garden office at 816-931-3877 if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Kansas City Community Gardens
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Get Growing KC is a two year campaign to help get good food growing in every neighborhood. Our focus is on communities with the least access to good food and the most challenges to growing their own food.
How we can help:
Free Technical Assistance
- Growing food at home
- Participating in or starting a community garden
- Farm business development and management
- Food project planning and development
We Offer:
Presentations on ways to grow and access food in your neighborhood
Workshops on home gardening, community gardening and urban farming
Community networking to establish long-term relationships that promote fresh food and healthy eating
Mini-grants for qualified applicants in starting or expanding their community garden or farm