Walmart plants $25K in Eunice Community Garden

Officials with Jardin Des Amis, the Eunice Community Garden, announced this week that they are the recipients of a $25,000 grant from the Wal Mart Foundation’s Louisiana State Giving Program.
The community garden was created in spring 2013 through the efforts of the LSUE Foundation in collaboration with the LSU Eunice campus and Eunice Mayor Rusty Moody.
Early partners include the Eunice Bulb and Blossom Club, Eunice High School Agriculture students and many local individuals.
“With this wonderful opportunity,” said LSUE Foundation Director, Madelaine Landry, “we hope to host more educational forums in the spring, as well as an all-out effort to get more community involvement.
We also will be able to secure a coordinator and arrange for student internships in the spring, summer and fall semesters in 2014.”
Plans include reaching out to the elderly and disabled in the community, as well as including more student volunteers from the LSU Eunice campus, Landry added.
According to LeDoux Library spokesperson, Dr. Patricia Brown, who serves as the Garden’s Coordinator, a community garden is a public space with small garden plots.
“These are cultivated by individuals, families, or small groups,” said Brown. “We hope that providing people with space and assistance to grow their own healthy food, we can also help improve community health, maintain our agricultural and cultural heritage, and teach people how to enjoy God’s creation.”
Priscilla Nichols, Walmart Louisiana State giving council member and Eunice, LA Walmart associate, said “The Walmart Foundation, via the Louisiana State Giving Program, is pleased to provide this grant donation to support the Eunice Community Garden.
This grant will serve the community by assisting with key initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and healthy living. We are grateful to partner with the LSU Eunice Foundation to support a program that will have such a positive impact on the community.”  
Participants and volunteers are encouraged to visit the garden’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/EuniceCommunityGarden for additional information.