‘Helping others out’: Community garden at Thistletown school aims to combat food insecurity

If you’ve driven by Islington Avenue and Elmhurst Drive near Albion Road in Toronto’s Thistletown neighbourhood, you may have missed a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the community.

The Accessibility Garden at Thistletown Collegiate Institute is where volunteers grow vegetables and fruit that end up being distributed in boxes to help combat food insecurity in the neighbourhood.

“Growing food is something that brings people together. It strengthens communities. It’s about skill sharing and skill building,” says Mariela Libedinsky, co-manager of the garden site.

The community garden is part of the PACT Urban Peace Program, a not-for-profit organization, that has been around assisting communities just like Thistletown for more than 20 years.

“Growing food is something that brings people together.”

PACT’s grow-to-learn program teaches schools and communities about food and gardening, and helps to feed families and seniors in under-resourced neighbourhoods. The school gardens also aim to raise awareness related to issues of healthy eating, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

“The food is going back to students. Back to their families. Seniors who live in the area. Church groups and food banks,” Libedinsky says.

Not only does the food go to the program but offers children a place to volunteer.

“Kid needs the volunteer hours and with the lockdown, some of them haven’t be able to get their hours and with this, they can get out and engage with the community and do something meaningful,” says Joni Reid, a youth advocate.

It’s not just limited to students – anyone can help out.

Currently, there are only three employees tending to this garden – one is Merwah Wraich, a summer student who lives in the area.

“Being in the community. Helping others out. I just love seeing something starting small and grows big … it’s therapeutic,” Wraich says.

The program is not just limited to students — anyone can help out.

“Many hands make light work. It’s just the three of us that work here full time. We can use people for sure, and volunteering really brings people together,” says Anne Bell, co-manager of the Thistletown garden site.

Bell says there are more than 900 pounds of produce has been grown by PACT. They’ve also served more than 5,300 residents and that was made possible through about 520 hours of work from volunteers.

PACT has two other community gardens in Toronto, one at John Polanyi Collegiate Institute and another at Elmbank Junior Middle Academy.