Centenary Community Garden Donates Veggies to the Lord's Pantry

Hackettstown, N.J. – The Centenary College Community Garden fulfilled its mission this week when it donated a yield of fresh, sustainably grown vegetables to the Lord’s Pantry, the food distribution ministry associated of Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Hackettstown.  This contribution is the first that the garden has made since its inception in 2011 and will be followed by additional donations to the Pantry throughout the summer and fall.

This initiative is managed by Dr. Krassi Lazarova, Assistant Professor of Physics in the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Department, and is maintained through the consistent efforts of the members of the Evergreen Group.  The goals of the Community Garden are to donate produce to the members of the community who are in need to instill an understanding of the importance of sustainability and to promote environmental stewardship among the college’s students.  In addition, the Community Garden supports Centenary’s focus on the importance of community service as an integral aspect of education.

The garden’s donation comes as a harbinger for Centenary College’s new Environmental Science Major, which will be offered this fall as a result of interest expressed by students and the forecasted need in the workplace for environmental scientists.  The Environmental Science program focuses on the relationship between the environment and our daily lives, with particular emphasis on environmental quality, stewardship of the land, human health and how local actions impact the global community.

“The Centenary Community Garden is an excellent way in which students can make a positive impact on the environment and the community,” says Josh Ecochard, Centenary’s Coordinator of Community Service.  “Not only does the experience encourage a love of nature and the environment, and teach people how to grow their own food, it also provides assistance to those in need.”

Community service is an integral part of Centenary College and the institution’s longstanding commitment to developing future citizens through co-curricular initiatives.  In fact, Centenary College was the first college in New Jersey to mandate community service as a graduation requirement.  This year, Centenary College was selected to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the number of community service hours students volunteer throughout the school year. 

Right now, the Centenary College Community Garden is in need of sponsors.  Program support can be in the form of donations or materials and supplies.  For more information, contact Dr. Lazarova at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2252, or e-mail lazarovak@centenarycollege.edu. The Lord’s Pantry
The Lord’s Pantry is a food distribution ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church located in Hackettstown, N.J that provides free food to those in need. The pantry is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Guests are invited to receive food once a month. Volunteers pick up food, stock shelves, assist guests and do related tasks. The Lord's Pantry is committed to providing nutritious food to residents of the Hackettstown area as a supplement to their regular food shopping.  Approximately 800 people a month receive food from the pantry.

About

About Centenary College
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world.

Centenary College’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County).  The Centenary College School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in three locations: Hackettstown, Parsippany and Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.  The School of International Programs recruits international students for study at Centenary and Centenary students for study abroad.

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