All too often the selfless actions of individuals can be overlooked. It's not hard to do; we all get wrapped up in our own lives. It is in our collective best interest to note when community members and state officials come together to do something remarkable.
An example of this community involvement and dedication is the most recent pilot program by the Pugsley Correctional Facility near Kingsley, Grand Traverse Community Collaborative, Fresh Food Partnership, Northwest Michigan Human Services, the Father Fred Foundation and many others that provided a bountiful food harvest through the Pugsley Gardens program.
The Pugsley staff gave inmates the opportunity to do something productive with their time, and the fruits of that labor translated to 18,213 pounds of produce being given to local charities and food pantries. That's nine tons of food that was provided to deserving families in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Antrim counties.
The Pugsley Gardens program offers a unique addition to traditional contributions to food pantries and charities. Fresh local produce was provided to individuals and families that might not otherwise be able to afford such food. Community members are given a broader variety of food to choose from. Participants are better able to tailor their diets and stretch their income and resources to best fit their needs because of the additional produce they can choose from.
Utilizing available resources and providing an outlet for inmates produced a great contribution to our community. Inmates were given the opportunity to learn new, productive skills and to give back to our area in a unique demonstration of reciprocity. Their effort and time allowed for such a great amount of produce to be created.
The Pugsley Gardens program was innovative and inspiring. Producing over nine tons of fresh produce in one growing season is quite commendable. The labor that corrections officers and inmates put into the program is only one aspect however.
Special thanks should be given to Barbara Lemcool of the Grand Traverse Community Collaborative for organizing much of the supplies and contributors and Joe VanderMeulen at the Fresh Food Partnership for arranging distribution. Their belief in the viability and value of this program is very much central to its success.
Another central component to this program was Warden Thomas Phillips and his staff at Pugsley Correctional Facility. His insight into the program helped to make it a reality. Warden Phillips was a strong proponent of experimenting with this idea and saw the benefits it could have for both the community and the inmates.
Along with members of the Department of Corrections, Warden Phillips' willingness to try out this program can be an inspiration to the programs in correctional facilities across the state.
We have found a way to utilize resources in an efficient manner that has fulfilled a necessary need. The program at Pugsley Correctional Facility should be a template and inspiration to communities around the state on the ability to draw on different resources to produce a bountiful harvest for our local communities.
About the author: State Sen, Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, represents the 37th District, which includes most of northern Michigan.
About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
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