The vision of an elementary school principal combined with the school's creation care team's energy and a supportive local community means an environmental plus and an outreach to the hungry.
(photo of Patricia O'Donnell from the school website)
As Patricia O'Donnell, Principal of St. Patrick School in Malvern PA told EcoPhilly,
'I wanted to update you on some great stuff we have begun at Saint Pat's. We used our greenhouse to begin vegetables and flowers from seed in early April. Then a parent built some raised beds and our "Creation Care Club" members filled them with seedlings. We have also begun composting for the whole school community - families are sending in their compost and the kids are taking it out to the compost bin. This is our first try with planting so we will see what happens. Our goal is to donate our produce to a local food bank who accepts fresh veggies.'
To succeed in establishing a community composting initiative is a real achievement. Composting material that otherwise would go into landfill means less methane in the atmosphere. 'Companion' flowering plants can be planted together with vegetables, encouraging helpful predatory insects as well as bees and butterflies ... and our children will literally see the fruits of their labors feed the poor.
Well done to St. Pat's!
Some photographs from the project below.
