Planty for the People is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that seeks to bridge gaps of healthy food access in the food deserts of our city. Through a partnering pay it forward diner, community supported gardening, and special outreach and educational opportunities, we are aiming to create a community centered space that hopes to bring about wellness to an underserved area of El Paso. We believe that good, healthy food and a sense of community is a right for everyone and want to present a commonplace in which these things may be cultivated and sustainably nurtured.
Planty for the People has multiple, ongoing programs related to food access and garden education. We, along with approximately 30 volunteers, manage an urban farm with over 50 garden beds currently on site and host garden classes educating interested community members on organic growing practices in the southwest desert of El Paso, Texas. We also offer seeds and garden education/support to the community in an effort to encourage growing food. Through community supported partnerships, anyone that walks through our doors experiencing food insecurity qualifies for a healthfully prepared meal through our neighboring community diner. The produce we grow becomes available by donation, through our pay-what-you-can produce program which makes fresh, organic produce from our gardens accessible in an area designated as a food desert. Our community pantry provides access to shelf stable foods, toiletries, and other necessities to individuals free of charge, 24/7.
1.) Community Food Pantry & Garden Expansion: We need a par stock of items to restock the pantry and plan to expand our garden beds and indoor transplant operations.
2.) Garden Classes: Our garden classes are free to community members, but they do come at a cost. Help us to maintain free classes by donating to pay for instruction and materials.
3.) Community Garden Essentials: We are in constant need of community shared hand tools, gloves, seeds, soil amendments, and garden equipment. Our hands on community gardening provides educational experience to our volunteers in hopes of encouraging more home growers all while working together to feed our community!
