Niagara University has an off campus outreach office, ReNU Niagara, which works on many projects that help people help themselves in Niagara Falls. ReNU Niagara recently moved from their Main Street location to the former Center for Joy at 1117 Michigan Ave. to provide assistance in that neighborhood as well as others.

Funding was secured through the University from The East Hill Foundation to assist in the establishment of the Highland Community Greenfields project. They are overseeing this project with the Highland Community Revitalization Committee and the great people at the Henry J. Kalfas School. Other assistance is offered through WNY AmeriCorps and Hands On Greater Buffalo as full partners.

This partnership has developed a community vegetable garden and other projects with a goal to empower the community and especially the youth to assist in the revitalization of their neighborhood. The garden is located at the Henry J. Kalfas Magnet School on Beech Avenue (near the big blue water tower). During the past school year, Kalfas students, block club members,and many youth groups and interested residents have learned how to grow vegetables from seeds and transplant them to a designated area near the school.

As you drive up to this area, you first see several large raised garden beds overflowing with the fruits of the earth (or vegetables in this case). Tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, collards and more all greet you from various spots in their beds. Yes, it’s for you. Come and get it! These fresh homegrown (with tender loving care I might add) veggies are for sale and they can be purchased anytime staff is available. Scheduled dates are 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 23 and 6-7 p.m. Sept. 24. You can double check these dates and times at 205-0289. This is even limited free delivery by calling that number. If you bring in compost material and/or an original recipe to share you receive a discount. How can you go wrong!

At 5 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Kalfas School, the ReNU Niagara office will host an official dedication of the garden to the community as well as the unveiling of the garden sign. Community members and dignitaries alike are invited to join in the ceremony. Maybe we can bring home a tomato or two. Certainly, there are zucchinis available to buy.

When I visited them at the Center for Joy, I met Tom Lowe and Lacey Severson. They are AmeriCorps-VISTA employees and are assigned, by choice, to this location for a one year commitment. Tom is from Youngstown and Lacey is from Wisconsin. Lacey just arrived, but Tom was there on July 2 for the planting and was assisted by community members. Workers from Hands on Greater Buffalo, with some assistance from our local Home Depot, built the raised beds. On July 19, some early arriving NU freshmen students learned community life by assisting at the garden and were visited by the mayor who gave a pep talk on Niagara Falls. Since that time, Tom and Lacey do the everyday maintenance and watering with the help of local youth groups. There is a garden committee made up of block club members and other groups. The next meeting is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the garden. They learn about the care, and maintenance of the garden as it will be turned over to the community at the dedication.

Do any of you know about Mr. King who lives somewhere on Center Avenue and is responsible for that large garden plot that has been taken over by Hope VI? I do as I drive in that area often in my travels and his garden has been part of the landscape for many years. It is the one with all the plastic jugs sitting in the large field, which he used for watering. There is a big cornfield there right now, just barely on the Hope VI boundary and they better let him harvest his crop as his “corn is as high as an elephant’s eye.” He has been sort of a role model for this garden project.

Anyway, don’t miss the dedication ceremony or the opportunity to buy this produce and encourage this community project. ReNU Niagara coordinated this last year at the Presti Senior Apartment complex and I believe the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club on 17th Street is helping out there this year.

Niagara University is a real community partner. They are planning another project when their 650 freshmen students arrive on campus. This project will bring these students into the city to spend three different Saturdays with area kids and youth in city parks. All kinds of activities such as volleyball, kan jam, basketball, etc. are planned and more news will be forthcoming on these events during the next week or so. Stay tuned. The university is a tremendous asset to this community, as they collaborate in a host of worthwhile projects like those that I just mentioned. We are fortunate to have them. Now, if we could just encourage the graduates to stay here after the completion of their academic life.

Tomorrow is primary day. Don’t forget to vote! Polls are open noon to 9 p.m.

Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Mondays in the Gazette.