Minot Volunteers Dig in at Community Garden

A group of Minot team members who spent time volunteering at a community garden found it rewarding in many ways. 

On a local farmstead, six raised gardens, each 180 feet long and four feet wide, are home to a variety of vegetables, all raised for the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry (LCFP) of Minot, which serves families in need in the community. Both the LCFP and the gardens depend on volunteers, and with food pantry services in high demand, the need for help is great.

Marchell Walker, Minot Office Administrator, shared, “I wanted to volunteer because I know there are a lot of families going through difficult times right now. I hate the thought of anyone having to go hungry.

She was joined by Kaleb Boehler, Parts Specialist and Vince Horner, Service Technician. The entire growing cycle at the gardens is handled by volunteers, who plant in the spring, tend throughout the summer, and harvest in the fall.

For Kaleb, volunteering was a chance to do something he enjoyed with the added impact of knowing it was for the benefit of others.

“My family still gardens, and I never thought that would be a skill I could utilize to help my community,” he said.

Last year, more than 5,000 pounds of produce was harvested from the gardens, all for use by people needing help in Minot and surrounding Ward County. Marchell said being empowered by RDO to get involved in projects like this is a point of pride and sends a strong message.

“There’s always something positive that comes of volunteering. It’s enjoyable to be able to socialize with others, representing RDO, and showing people that our company cares about the community,” she commented. “Volunteering is just a great way to connect with the community and make it a better place for all of us.”

The pandemic has impacted both the needs of community focused organizations like food pantries and the ability of volunteers to physically get out and help. But amid the added stress of this time, Kaleb found the experience to be a moment to reflect.

“It was nice to be outside, enjoying nature, and working in the dirt. A lot of people don’t realize how rewarding that can be on its own,” he commented. “We get caught up in the day-to-day crazy life we’re in now. It is nice to just take a step back and do things the way it was done back in the day, working in the dirt to help everyone in the community.”