The Vernal and Roosevelt Rotary Clubs recently combined forces for a very worthy cause, providing grow boxes for the Vernal Food Pantry, and issued the following press release on the project’s success: “The Roosevelt Club proposed the joint project with Vernal’s Club. Vernal provided the funding for the materials needed and the Roosevelt Club constructed the beautiful grow boxes which are made of wood and corrugated metal. 19 planters were completed and delivered to the pantry just in the nick of time for the 2020 growing season! Kim Dieter, Director of the Pantry, presented details to the Vernal Club September 10th. She explained that the project was in the pantry’s plans but the funding was an issue. When contacted about the boxes, she was thrilled to learn that the Clubs would be able to provide all of the boxes needed and meet the various size requests for their plan! Many local partners participated in getting the boxes to the point of producing fresh vegetables for the 2020 season. Western Park leveled the ground. Scott & Jessica Allred donated and delivered topsoil and gravel. Basin Rentals loaned equipment. Active Re-Entry, Jane Thompson House of Hope, Northeastern Counseling Center, Friends Against Family Violence and USU Extension provided volunteers to run the equipment and prepare and plant the container garden. Basin Nursery donated the plants. Allred’s Landscaping provided the watering system for the planters. As of September 10th, the Food Pantry had served 275 families 176 pounds of fresh food! Director Kim Lamb projected at least 200 pounds total for the year as the plants were still producing well. Rotarian Cheri McCurdy, currently serving as Assistant Governor over both clubs, was pleased that Vernal and Roosevelt Clubs were able to team on the project! She stated this is just an example of what Rotarians can do when they provide “Service Above Self”. The other community support towards the project is a great example of the generosity of the community we live in and reminds us of why we all love the Uintah Basin. Upcoming projects of the Vernal Rotary Club include a Coat Drive October 24th and oversight of “Santa’s Community Effort (Angel Tree Project) which will kick off the beginning of November. Details about the Vernal Club and projects can be found on their Facebook Page or by contacting Cheri McCurdy, 435-790-5603.
