MBK Assists in Building Greenhouses with The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
MBK Assists in Building Greenhouses with The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
On Saturday, July 24th, Team Leader, Chelsea R., accompanied by Chris, Ian, Mia, Mallory, Moira, and Basile joined Sunnier Days Construction to assist with a Greenhouse Build for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
The first greenhouse being constructed will be used for seedling production, while the second greenhouse will be an educational greenhouse for growing crops in raised beds. Both greenhouses will be wheelchair accessible and will serve as an educational tool for when volunteer groups and students visit the farm. All produce grown in the greenhouses will eventually be donated to Springfield Public Schools through a partnership with Sodexo. The team worked on both the greenhouse build and the community garden.
Greenhouse Build
The team first marked out the location of the greenhouse to indicate the spacing for the supporting beams. They used a sledgehammer in the secure the bottom posts of the supporting beams into the ground. Surveying equipment was used to accurately measure the depth of the beams in the ground. Once finished, the team raised the overhead structure into the air and dropped them into the supporting beams, attaching them together with bolts and using an impact drill to tighten washers onto them.
Community Garden
They weeded 3 rows that were 3’x 50’, laid cardboard down over the soil (cardboard is great to help prevent weeds), shoveled and spread compost in one 3’x 50’ area, and then shoveled and spread mulch in the other two 3’ x 50’ areas for a walking path. The team also planted collards.
A Great Experience, A Great Cause
Giving back to the community is something that MBK deeply values. It’s really satisfying to be part of the process that will impact so many people in the community in the future. The team shared a few thoughts on how it felt to give back and work on this project:
- “Food Bank's Volunteering event to build the greenhouse was really fulfilling. It felt good to be an active part of building something the community will use and benefit from”
- “I thought the experience was overall very rewarding knowing that I took part in something that is going to be a key asset in combating the hunger crisis. Not only did this experience help others less fortunate, but it helped us at MBK as it was a key team building exercise.”
- “In high school and college its easy to find volunteer opportunities to try to build up a college application or a resume. It's so fulfilling to work with professionals who go beyond that and actively seek out places to help in the community because they truly want to contribute and better our surroundings!”
- “I had a lot of fun! I met very interesting people, and by the end of the day I felt a sense of accomplishment and had learned a lot about farming. It made me want to start my own garden.”
- “It was a great experience volunteering on Saturday for TFB of Western MA- we were educated about sustainable farming and TFB initiative to provide fresh produce to those with hunger insecurities.”
Congratulations to MBK for continuing to show their commitment to community right here in Western Massachusetts. To learn more about MBK in the community, visit the Community page on our website.
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