Stephanie McDaniels and other residents of Port Orchard’s new homeless shelter are getting their hands dirty.
Those at the Pacific Building shelter can now work the soil in newly installed vegetable beds in the facility’s back yard. Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes and carrots are among the bounty being grown in nutrient-rich beds.
“I was so happy when they announced they were going to do gardens out there. I knew that was a place where I could go and plant what I wanted and view all the vegetables and flowers that are growing,” McDaniels said.
“Garden of Hope” is the name of the project, which consists of four planting and compost bins. There are also two raised, handicapped-accessible beds for residents who use wheelchairs or walkers. Bins are 8 by 2 feet and constructed of cedar wood and galvanized metal. A wooden obelisk stands in the center of the garden, listing local businesses and individuals who contributed to the project.
“This is something that brings people together and helps them learn a skill,” said Audrey Wolf, development director for the Kitsap Rescue Mission, which operates the 75-bed shelter.
McDaniels, a self-described “green thumb,” and her husband, David, tend to their vegetables daily. “We go out there to see if they need to be watered. We also check to see when they are ripe and need to be pulled,” said McDaniels said, who started gardening as a youngster in the family’s back yard.
While working the soil, McDaniels enjoys listening to R&B music. Her playlist consists of Keith Sweat, Josh Levy and New Edition.
The couple grows strawberries, tomatoes, corn, squash, peppers and lettuce. The fruits of their labor will go toward making fresh salads and salsa for themselves and fellow shelter residents. Sharing with other residents will be rewarding. “That will make me really happy, excited and proud,” she said.
In addition to producing foodstuffs, the garden has therapeutic value, per Wolf.
“Some of the people staying with us have mental health issues, substance use disorders and others have depression. (The garden) gets them out of the shelter into the sun and fresh air. It also works for conversation, so they’re not isolating so much,” Wolf said.
Pacific Building opened its doors in January and is owned by the county. The facility is open to men, women, families and pets. Current inhabitants included 41 adults, 16 children and 18 pets.
The live-in facility provides residents with life skills training and arranges medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment, officials say.
The shelter sits on a nearly 5-acre plot of land, formerly the site of the former Olympic Fitness Club at 4459 S.E. Mile Hill Drive. Funding for Pacific Building came from state grants designated for emergency housing, affordable housing and homeless shelter projects.
The Garden of Hope was built by community volunteers and $8,000 in donations. Kitsap Credit Union Cares Foundation kicked in $1,500. Tessera (formerly Skookum) contributed $600 to fund the handicapped-accessible beds. Lowe’s donated gardening tools and Olympic Organics furnished soil and bark.
Contributions to help maintain the vegetable beds are welcome. Starter vegetable plants, fertilizer and cash donations can be made through Wolf (email: development@kitsaprescue.org).
