The Terra Alta Christian Youth Center (TACYC) continues to expand its programs, recently launching a service club aimed at identifying community needs. One of its latest initiatives — hydroponic gardening — paired with efforts of the recently formed service club is helping to provide fresh produce for the Terra Alta food pantry, officials said.
Now, the students are working to supply fresh produce to the food pantry throughout the winter using their hydroponics systems. Using their grant funds, TACYC partnered with West Virginia Extension Health Educator Kozue Maye, who taught them about hydroponic gardening.
"We had these amazing vertical hydroponic towers donated to the youth center, so it was just sort of synergistic," Interim Director Jennifer Kahly said. Although the initial plan was to establish a community garden, the project has expanded to not only volunteering at the food pantry, but also to provide the pantry with fresh produce, she said.
Davey Simmons, a parent of one of the youth center participants, said he is grateful for the program's presence in the community. "Here in Terra Alta, we've needed something like this for the youth for a long time," he said. "It's great to see them channel their energy into something positive for the community."
Source: wvnews.com