HOPE, Ark. – Volunteers at the Hope ConneXion Outreach Center are sowing seeds of hope thanks to support from the American Electric Power Foundation (AEP Foundation) that will help a community garden take root and bring people together to combat food insecurity. 

In Arkansas, statewide food insecurity rates are alarmingly higher than the national average with approximately 15 percent of the state’s population identified as food insecure. That statistic is matched within the Hope and Hempstead County footprint. Food-insecure households, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, at some time during the year, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.  

"The grass wasn’t feeding anybody,” quipped Jennifer Martinez, assistant director for Hope ConneXion Outreach Center, as she described efforts for growing their outreach programs beyond the group’s clothing closet, substance abuse programs, laundry and shower facilities for the transient community, job readiness training and more.  

Volunteers recognized the need and realized they could put the lawn surrounding their multi-purpose community center to work. They were determined to create what they have called a “Blessin’ Garden” to put every inch of sod to work for Hope residents. 

Initially, a local cub scout troop stepped forward and built the first 12 planters. Soon after, local volunteers helped plant and nurture the plants to ensure fresh produce was free and accessible for their neighbors. Together with other volunteers, workers transformed the empty yard into a garden last year to provide free, healthy, fresh produce to combat local food insecurity. The garden featured squash, zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes, okra, sunflower seeds, potatoes, carrots, radishes, mustard, collard, and turnip greens, bell, banana, cayenne, and chili peppers, and peas.

During the last growing season, volunteers estimated 600 lbs. of food were distributed or grown on site and given free of charge to area residents, including a bumper crop of more than 100 lbs. of okra. A produce box is at the front of the center, so community residents have access to the harvested produce 24 hours a day. 

“The consequences of food insecurity are being felt across the United States and Arkansas is no exception. Hope ConneXion is filling a critical need and we are so proud the AEP Foundation, at the recommendation of SWEPCO, can help them expand their work,” explained SWEPCO’s External Affairs Manager Jennifer Harland. 

Thanks to a grant from AEP Foundation, the center’s growing efforts will expand to 24 raised planters, add garden equipment and will extend their farming plot surrounding the center and further their green thumb efforts. As volunteers await optimal planting times, they’ve already amassed seeds, fruit trees and are preparing land for additional bean crops and herb gardens. And with each harvest, the bounty will be sorted and left on the front porch for those in need to come and receive the blessing of fresh produce grown by volunteers. 

“We build partnerships with a lot of people in the community because that’s how you can make a bigger impact and we’re so thankful to AEP Foundation,” Martinez said. “This grant means the amount of food and access to healthy, fresh produce we can put out into our community has more than doubled.” 

AEP Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing, and the elimination of hunger.