Beyond Shelter News                                        Summer 2014
 
"It seems to me our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others."
- M.F.K. Fisher
Programs

 

Summer brings us warm days and long hours of sunlight, vital ingredients that infuse new life into the beautiful organic produce growing on The Farm at Boston's Long Island Shelter.

 

The Farm at Boston's Long Island Shelter helps feed the bodies, minds, and spirits of some of Boston's most vulnerable residents. 

 

Each year, over 25,000 pounds of organic produce is grown here for the shelter's kitchen. Veggies, herbs, fruits and berries, as well as eggs from the laying hens and honey from the apiary, are all part of the bounty.

 

Besides delicious produce, hope and opportunity grow here too: providing paid work experience, job-readiness, and education to homeless men and women as part of the Serving Ourselves Vocational Training Program. For people striving to get back on their feet, The Farm provides a unique opportunity to achieve this.

 

The Farm also shares its bounty with the Greater Boston community by offering healthy, affordable options through CSA shares and Farmers Markets - particularly in neighborhoods where access to healthy foods is limited - and accepts SNAP, WIC, and senior coupons.
 

With an annual budget under $200,000, The Farm achieves all of this with the help of generous supporters like you!

 

The Farm loves to work with individual and group volunteers throughout the season. And, if you can't join us on The Farm, our Adoption Program is a meaningful and tangible way to bring beautiful organic food and opportunities for independence to those who might otherwise not have access to either.

 

Learn more about the Farm.
How You Can Help

Summer and fall are the perfect times to spend a day on The Farm, tending to the wide variety
of organic produce that will be served by the shelter's kitchen. 

Helping with essential tasks like land clearing, planting and harvesting while working alongside program participants is a uniquely rewarding experience. 
Great for a corporate volunteer day!



You can help nourish bodies, minds and spirits by adopting a row of veggies, a fruit tree or one of our lovely laying hens! 

For just $10 you'll help grow a row of beautiful kale, tomatoes or strawberries. Or, your $25 gift will help keep a laying hen happy and healthy!
A great gift for someone on your list!
Arbella Insurance
 
  
The employees at Arbella Insurance have spent many seasons volunteering on The Farm. From spring planting to fall harvest, they often see the fruits of their labor. And, in addition to their time and energy, the Arbella Charitable Foundation and the employees make generous financial contributions to help The Farm fulfill its mission. Thank you Arbella for all your good support!

"I love volunteering at The Farm knowing that this fresh, organic food will help and nourish homeless individuals and others in the community. Arbella employees are always eager for their departments to volunteer. I've also used what I've learned about gardening to start my own small garden at home with my family!" - Jenn Reale, Foundation Program Coordinator, Arbella Insurance
Celebrate The Farm's fall bounty with four renowned chefs, an exclusive location, intimate seating & stunning harbor views!
 
This five-course dinner features produce from The Farm to your table prepared by chefs Karen Akunowicz/Myers+Chang, 
Chris Douglass/Ashmont Grill & Tavolo, Dave Becker/Sweet Basil, Jim Solomon/The Fireplace, and the Serving Ourselves Culinary Arts Program.
 
Date: September 25, 2014
Time: 6:00 PM
 
Purchase tickets here (seating is limited).
Thanks to a generous grant from Cummings Foundation 
and the talented team at iFactory, our new website makes it easy to learn about Friends and the many ways you can help end homelessness!
 
Visit us here.

What happens on The Farm during the off season? Farm Manager, Catalina Lopez Ospina, talks about how The Farm nourishes bodies, minds, and spirits throughout the year.

 

Read the blog.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST

On July 31st, following a day of working on The Farm, volunteers and supporters enjoyed a delicious lunch from the Gratitude Grille to show our appreciation for their hard work!
Happenings
On June 16, over 100 golfers joined us at our Annual Golf Tournament at Ipswich Country Club to raise more than $50,000 to help end homelessness in Boston.
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