On Wednesday, August 2, Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) hosted the Lawrence branch of Bank of America (BOA) at the GWL Farmers Market located on Lawrence’s Campagnone Common for a check presentation and tour. GWL staff members and youth were proud to accept a $15,000 check from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support healthy food access programs. BOA employees enjoyed walking through the market and visiting with GWL Green Team high school summer employees, farm and craft vendors and food tastings prepared by UMass Extension. Bank staff were also greeted by middle school aged youth participating in GWL’s Urban Adventures summer program and learned about finding and harvesting edible plants.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation advances economic mobility by addressing issues related to workforce development and education, community development, and basic needs. The Foundation has supported GWL’s healthy food initiatives since 2007 and GWL is grateful to have their continued support this year. Alicia Verity, of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation says, “Groundwork Lawrence and Bank of America have partnered for many years to address the basic needs of the Lawrence community through their healthy food access programs, and ultimately, helping to set families and individuals on the pathways to economic mobility. We are proud to partner with them and look forward to continuing this crucial work together.”
Heather McMann, GWL Executive Director says of the partnership, “Funding from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is integral to the success of our healthy food programs in Lawrence. We work actively to provide options for everyone living in the city, whether it is a subsidized CSA share, affordable fresh food at our three farmers markets or free healthy cooking classes. The Foundation understands and responds to this need, and we appreciate their support.”
About Groundwork Lawrence
Since 1999, GWL has worked to improve Greater Lawrence residents’ lives in conjunction with their physical surroundings. GWL brings together government, schools, businesses, and other nonprofits to lead community-driven initiatives focused on building a healthier, stronger, more vibrant city. GWL restores and revitalizes open spaces through parks, community gardens, greenways, and trails, and provides programs centered on youth education, job training, fresh food access, environmental awareness, healthy living, and community engagement and stewardship.
Organizational Highlights:
- Open Space and Environmental Improvements: In partnership with the City of Lawrence, GWL has managed more than $21M in capital improvements, built or redeveloped 21 parks and improved over 5 miles of trails. We’ve built 9 community garden sites, 30 backyard gardens, an urban farm, and 13 schoolyard gardens. In 2016, GWL completed construction of the Spicket River Greenway capstone park at the Ferrous site and partnered with the City of Lawrence to build 3 new spaces for recreation (Kane Park, Spray Park, and Warehouse Square), as well as restarted pre-development on the Merrimack Riverwalk Trail. In partnership with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, GWL is planting 2,400 trees in Lawrence and will do outreach for an additional 2,400 trees in Haverhill.
- Fresh Food Access: GWL increases fresh food access for Greater Lawrence residents by managing three farmers markets, partnering with Farmer Dave’s CSA, increasing healthy food access in local bodegas, and offering fresh food subsidies through the Groundwork Share-a-Share TM program.
- Community Programming: Each year GWL engages over 2,000 community volunteers of all ages in the Earth Day and Spicket River Cleanups.
- Education & Job Training: Each year, GWL engages nearly 1,500 students in Lawrence Public Schools, providing enrichment opportunities that promote healthy living, the environment and foster a commitment to civic leadership.