Community Garden Will Feed The Poor

At this time of year a lot of people enjoy the taste of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.

But in Oklahoma those people are something of a minority.

To help change things the Jewish Federation of Tulsa is building a special garden on the grounds of their community center.

The federation's Deputy Director is Karen Blum, who says{}it will reach out to the entire community with volunteers doing the growing and tending.

The food will then be distributed by the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

The contractors are on the site right building walls for the beds.

The garden will cover 6400 square feet right along 71st St. near Lewis.

When it's in full production it should provide 5-tons of fruits and vegetables every year.

Susan Tilkin of the food bank says fresh produce is precious to their clients, because it's relatively expensive if you're on a tight food budget.

She adds that a couple of years ago, the Centers for Disease Control ranked Oklahoma last in the nation when it comes to eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Former Tulsa Police Chief now Drew Diamond is now the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa.

He says the garden simply fits in with their{}mission of helping to repair the world.

So the center of the garden's design is a large star of David that represents unity, doing good deeds and diversity.

Their garden is an ambitious undertaking, that even includes a water well that will be driven by solar power.

If you'd like to support the project they're still looking for help.

You can sponsor one of the beds, and buy coffee or artistic garden tools, to help make it happen.

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