by Genevieve Mellott
Our area has many great resources and ways of supporting its residents. One of the more innovative local organizations is Brigit’s Bounty Community Resources. Founded in 2011 and located adjacent to St. Brigit’s Episcopal Church in Frederick, they operate a Giving Garden and provide youth and charitable programs for the Carbon Valley. What is a “Giving Garden?” you may ask. Every year, staff and volunteers prepare, plant, tend, and harvest vegetables to give to neighbors in need. Also, the garden provides educational opportunities for youth, including after school programs and Summer Garden Camp. Brigit’s Bounty’s mission is simple yet essential: to provide education, training, and resources toward transforming the lives of individuals and strengthening the Carbon Valley community.
The garden can produce over 2,000 pounds of food and easily reach over 750 children. The full-time devotees to the cause include Garden and Education Coordinator Rachel Pound and Americorps Resource Development and Engagement VISTA Tyler Mathews. As amazing as they are, two people cannot serve an entire community alone! The garden relies heavily on volunteers. In 2019, in addition to its volunteer board of directors, the organization welcomed 557 neighbors who put in 4,300 hours to make the season spectacular.
Brigit’s Bounty is getting ready for another impressive year, and there are lots of ways to get involved. This spring, the garden will need plenty of volunteers again, and there’s no “green thumb” required! Summer Garden Camp will fill up fast if in-person camp is approved: it will accommodate around 70 students. Through the garden’s online shop, website visitors can purchase Brigit’s Bounty swag, creamed honey, lavender hand salve, and more, all supporting the nonprofit mission. Perhaps the most exciting event this year is constructing a brand-new greenhouse made possible through a Colorado Garden Foundation grant. With an anticipated completion date in July, the greenhouse will enable year-round food production and education opportunities. Lastly, we can’t forget about the Gala in the Garden, held every November, which is the charity’s premier fundraising event. The help provided by individuals like you and me enables the Giving Garden to make such an incredible impact on residents’ lives.
If you are interested in participating in the Giving Garden this year or want more information on its programs and opportunities, visit brigitsbounty.org, call 720-475-1520, or email info@brigitsbounty.org. Let’s keep the “grow” in our growing community!
Genevieve lives in Firestone with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. She enjoys thunderstorms, gardening, and long walks, in addition to writing, editing, and graphic design. gmdesign.biz
