Searching for Grow / Pick Your Own Food

The Community Garden Council of Waterloo Region supports and promotes community gardens throughout Waterloo Region.

Support for community gardens comes in many forms including:

• Helping people to start community gardens (e.g., letters of support, checklists, information resources etc.)
  
• Helping community gardens connect with other gardens with annual events
  
• Helping to connect people to open plots in community gardens
  
• Supporting gardens at municipal meetings for applications or in the event problems arise

See website for a directory of community gardens across Waterloo Region. Encourage sharing of garden related events on the website/blog.

The 519 Community Collective has 12 programs including a community fridge nourish kitchen, 2 urban gardens, 23 little free food pantries installed across the region, an assortment of emergency food programs, and more.

Programs for children, youth and adults include:

• Recreation After School programs, PA Day Camps, March Break and Summer Camps
• youth drop-in, Red Cross babysitting course, Leadership Development, Leader In Training
• Co-operative Youth Farm, high school experience
• Get Active (Grades 6, 7, 8) Sports Night, Adult Zumba
• backpack and school supplies
• Salvation Army Christmas Hamper West End Host site
• community garden
• neighbourhood summer market, emergency food pantry (call ahead)
• seasonal clothing drives and Goodwill clothing vouchers
• year round tax filing assistance
• advocacy with community agencies and programs

Organize various community building annual events such as the Village Fall Fair (Sep), Winterfest (Feb), and smaller events such as family games nights, pumpkin carving and youth car wash.

Work groups and committees established as needed. Volunteers always welcome to assist with planning and implementing youth and children's programs, events and other neighbourhood development initiatives.

COVID-19 Update: Service hours, programs and events have changed; visit website or contact for more information.

Programs and activities include:

• EarlyON prenatal and infant groups
• EarlyON parent and child drop-in
• EarlyON kindergarten readiness and early literacy groups
• Workshop Wednesdays
• school age - after school programs
• Breakfast Club - Mon-Fri mornings
• day camps - Summer and March Break
• teen drop-in programs
• community model of learning English
• leadership development
• programs provided by partner agencies include job search, health promotion, violence prevention
• community garden, must live within the community

Regular worship services, children and youth ministries and small groups for the spiritual enrichment of members

• community garden
• short term mission trips
• weekly sermons available on website or YouTube

Located within historic Riverside Park, the Garden is a living, interactive, accessible environment that fosters a sense of belonging and contributes to the well-being of the community.

• wide accessible, textured walkways and raised garden beds invite visitors and participants of all abilities
• Horticultural Therapy Programming
• free parking

Programs and services offered at various locations in the Ward.
Office at Tytler Public School by appointment only

Two Rivers Neighbourhood Group Food Bank open to Ward residents on Thursdays (drop in only) from 1 pm-6 pm at 69 Huron St (please enter using the 2nd door at the side of the building - follow the signs!)

Visit/ follow the Facebook page or contact Melanie at the Neighbourhood Group for more information trngprograms@guelphneighbourhoods.org

Contact Maryann (Parent Outreach Worker) for family support 519-803-0989

Activities include outdoor programming, events throughout the year, summer camps, community garden and food access.

Member of the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition

Builds community through connecting people with programs, events, resources, and involvement opportunities.

Offers various special services, social and fundraising events.

Outreach activities and community relationships

• monthly Community Dinner - 3rd Friday of each month at 6 pm (except July/August)
• Women's Community Lunch - no charge, open to women in the community; every Wed 12 noon in the Butterfly Hall.
• regular meetings of Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous and Sparks Guild Guides
• yoga classes in the Butterfly Hall
• community garden

Church facilities available for rent to community groups

• Parish Hall accommodates 100 people
• meeting room
• Butterfly Garden (behind church alongside the Grand River) available for weddings, receptions, celebrations, memorials

See calendar on website for schedule of meetings and activities.

Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN) provides resources and tools needed to start, run, or participate in community garden development.
Current community garden locations can be searched on the online map:
http://www.n2ncentre.com/hamilton-community-food-centre/community-garden-networking-program
HCGN is currently organized by the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre's Hamilton Community Food Centre.

Monthly meetings held by the Lynden Horticultural Society. Offers guest speakers on various topics, tours of businesses and gardens, as well as workshops. Annual events include a plant sale and flower show, participating in the Lynden Canada Day event, and planting the gardens around town. Members also receive a regular newsletter.

Online resource that lists free and low-cost places to get, grow, learn about, and eat food in Brantford and the County of Brant. Lists upcoming events and community projects to connect with others who are involved in the Brant County food system.

Group of locally-managed gardens in Brantford and Brant County seeking to create healthy gardens, healthy individuals, and healthy communities. Program designed to create more access to fresh and affordable food

• create your own garden
• earn volunteer hours
• learn gardening techniques and traditions

A not-for-profit organization that provides senior citizens with support programs and assistance

• helping seniors with everything from completing government forms for prescription drug programs to choosing long-term care facilities
  
• assist those dealing with elder abuse access services and support

Services include:

• day program for isolated seniors looking to socialize in a casual manner while enjoying coffee and cookies
  
• volunteer income tax clinic for low income individuals
  
• large community garden

Provide gardening information to the public by volunteers trained in horticulture. Welcome new member who are gardening fanatics!

Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN) provides resources and tools needed to start, run, or participate in community garden development.
Current community garden locations can be searched on the online map:
http://www.n2ncentre.com/hamilton-community-food-centre/community-garden-networking-program
HCGN is currently organized by the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre's Hamilton Community Food Centre.

Food Bank - Wed and Thu 10 am-3 pm appointment preferred, Tue evenings by appointment ONLY. Call or Text Food Bank Coordinator for appointment. See PER2117

Harvest of HOPE educational garden runs Spring through Fall. EMAIL Carolyn to find out more or check Facebook page.

HOPE Eats North Perth running Wednesday's 5-7. Note May 17th we switch to pick up a picnic and watch our Facebook page for BBQ's In July and August.

Tax Assistance available for Low Income individuals/households - please make an appointment to drop off documents and sign release. Returns will be prepared, then a copy of return and personal documents will be returned by mail.

Back Pack for Kids Program Applications being taken for September 2022 as of Jun 30th. Distribution date to be determined. See PER0558

North Perth Sports for Kids Sports Sponsorship. If you would like assistance accessing activities for your youth and live in North Perth please call the Community & Family Services office at 519-291-3200. See PER1653

HOPE Links North Perth - access to showers, meals, laundry and connection. 295 Main St. West Listowel. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11-4, enter through the big red door. The program is completely free. For more info contact Steph Siertsema at 226-622-7400 or EMAIL. See PER1791

OESP/LEAP application assistance also available

Christmas Assistance. See PER1960

Community garden in the Dundas area that encourages citizens to grow their own food, flowers, or other plants with the option to donate what they have grown.

10 feet by 10 feet plots for annual vegetables or cut flowers
* non commercial use only
* first-come first-served basis
* water available on site

Members include gardeners living in the Halton-Hamilton area who have diverse horticultural backgrounds and a desire to share their passion for gardening

Volunteer at:

• local garden tours and shows to answer gardening questions
• Royal Botanical Gardens festivals
• special community garden projects
• Canada Blooms (answering gardening questions and as guest speakers and expert panelists)
• members also speak on garden topics (e.g., at Horticultural Societies and libraries)

Sunny Mount Community Garden (SMG) is an allotment garden and joint venture project between the Town of Milton and Milton & District Horticultural Society.

The SMG is located on Ruhl Drive, overlooking Sunny Mount Park. The allotments are rented by the growing season (April to October, weather dependent).

36 plots available:
* 34 plots (6'x12') filled with topsoil
* 2 plot (4'x8') filled with topsoil

Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN) provides resources and tools needed to start, run, or participate in community garden development.
Current community garden locations can be searched on the online map:
http://www.n2ncentre.com/hamilton-community-food-centre/community-garden-networking-program
HCGN is currently organized by the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre's Hamilton Community Food Centre.

Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN) provides resources and tools needed to start, run, or participate in community garden development.
Current community garden locations can be searched on the online map:
http://www.n2ncentre.com/hamilton-community-food-centre/community-garden-networking-program
HCGN is currently organized by the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre's Hamilton Community Food Centre.

Gardening information service offered by phone, in person, or by submitting a question online

Hamilton Community Garden Network (HCGN) provides resources and tools needed to start, run, or participate in community garden development.
Current community garden locations can be searched on the online map:
http://www.n2ncentre.com/hamilton-community-food-centre/community-garden-networking-program
HCGN is currently organized by the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre's Hamilton Community Food Centre.