The Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri has big plans for the gardening season which will be made easier thanks to a grant from Kansas City Power & Light.

Last summer the Club applied for a $3,000 micro-grant through KCP&L’s Energizing Our Environment program. The funds will be used to purchase supplies, plants and seedlings for the Club’s garden, located behind the Administration Office.

“We are so thankful to KCP&L for recognizing the importance of being able to teach Club members not only where food comes from, but give them hands-on experience growing it themselves,” said Communications Director Emily Jarrett.

The gardening program began two summers ago and invites Club members to plant, weed, water and harvest a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Plans for this year’s garden include growing tomatoes, corn, peppers, carrots, radishes and herbs, in addition to wildflowers and flowers that will specifically attract butterflies.

On Friday KCP&L District Community Affairs Director Mark Dawson presented a check to the organization and was able to tour the garden and speak to several Club members who were working on planting seedlings.

“Many of our Club members have never helped in a garden, much less planted a tomato and tasted it right off the vine,” Jarrett said. “As an organization, we are very lucky to have such strong community partners who recognize the important new experiences we give to Club members every day.”

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