Et cetera : NCCC Maple 3 helps transform Franklinton Gardens into a haven for fresh produce

Ian continues demolition on a house damaged by a fire to be revitalized and reused for office space.

By Sarah Drayton

From the moment members of Maple 3 step foot in Franklinton, Ohio they knew they were there to make a difference. It starts from the moment they wake up in the morning ready to pull more weeds up until the team puts the last rake in the shed at the end of the day. The city Franklinton is known as a food desert, which means there is not a fresh produce market within five miles of the city. In addition, one out of four people own a car so the majority of the population either walk or take the bus, making accessibility to fresh produce challenging.

Franklinton Gardens is a non-profit organization that lives on the dream of gathering the community together and providing fresh fruits and vegetables to families. Maple 3 gets the firsthand experience to see the impact Franklinton Gardens has had on the community and the great opportunity for the team to be a part of that movement. So far NCCC’s Maple 3 team has helped dig out flower beds, weed them and has started to harvest some crops like Spinach!

Franklinton Gardens’ mission is to build a strong connection and community with every neighbor, create a beautiful environment as well as plant, grow and share healthy food. They address the needs of the city by rehabilitating decaying households and reusing them for other purposes.

Time here at Franklinton Gardens is running out but Maple 3 will continue to make a difference with Franklinton Gardens and get things done for America!