Trees of Life Garden Announcement
The Community Food Bank (CFB) announced today the grand unveiling of its new Trees of Life garden:
Monday, March 24th
1:00pm
5259 W. Cardinal Street, Homosassa
The public is invited and encouraged to attend
The Trees of Life initiative is designed to engage the community in supporting food assistance initiatives by offering individuals and businesses an opportunity to give a gift that keeps on giving. Trees of Life sponsors leave a lasting legacy by purchasing fruit bearing trees that will be cultivated to provide nourishment to more than 70,000 individuals in Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter Counties who count on the CFB to feed themselves and their families.
The CFB will have an annual installation/planting every Spring. Each tree dedication will be planted with a customized plaque denoting the name of the sponsor or person/entity being honored. The honoree will receive a certificate and image of the tree and plaque, creating a lasting tribute to their generosity and commitment to fighting hunger.
Kent Rinker is the first Founding Patron for the Trees of Life garden. He donated $25,000 to get the garden started and pave the way for this exciting new initiative.
“I am a ‘snowbird’ and feel fortunate to be able to call Citrus County my home for about half of each year,” says Rinker. “Many years ago, I became acquainted with folks at the Community Food Bank and supported them through my involvement with the Black Diamond Foundation. While no longer on that board, I still feel strongly about what the Food Bank does and I am fortunate to be in a position where, personally, I can still help the agency try to fulfill their mission. When I heard about the Trees of Life program, I was immediately drawn into the concept of providing financial aid for current needs, while, at the same time, creating a legacy project that will eventually provide help for many years to come. To me it was a great idea and I was thankful that I was in a position where I could help get the project up and running.”
Barbara Sprague, CEO / Executive Director of the CFB says the agency depends on the generosity and support of doners such as Rinker who hold the cause close to their hearts.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the Trees of Life garden,” says Sprague. “Trees of Life embodies our commitment to End Hunger and Nourish Hope throughout the Nature Coast. The garden serves as a symbol of hope, growth, and the power of community coming together to nourish our neighbors.”
The Trees of Life garden features lemon, apple, pear, peach, nectarine, and avocado trees, all carefully chosen for their adaptability to the local climate and for their nutritional value.
Future plans include the Trees of Life garden serving as an educational hub, offering hands-on learning opportunities for local schools and community groups. Participants will gain knowledge about sustainable gardening practices, healthy eating, and the importance of food access.
“Trees of Life will evolve to be more than just a garden, it will be a living laboratory for learning,” explains Sprague. “We would like to partner with schools, community organizations, and local residents to educate and inspire the next generation of food advocates.”
Tress of Life has sponsorship opportunities at numerous levels starting at $500. Learn more about becoming a Founding Patron, sponsoring a section of trees, or purchasing individual trees by visiting https://feed352.org/trees/.
