I began planning a garden on my first day as Manager of Cherry Blossom Loaves & Fishes in the East Portland Community Center. It simply seemed to be an obvious first task.
After all, every community center needs a garden. It is a natural extension of the mission of Portland Parks & Recreation to enhance the neighborhood by providing opportunities to grow the joy and benefits of a healthy and communal lifestyle. Likewise, it is a natural progression of the Loaves & Fishes vision: no senior goes hungry or experiences social isolation. These complimentary goals are firmly rooted in the soil of a garden. Our lives are made stronger by healthy foods and sharing.
Many hands make light loads.
I turned first to Steve Bergeron, President of Willamette Lodge #24 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union. In the past, the union had sponsored a pancake breakfast – but I needed a deeper commitment…and a bunch of burly men with pickup trucks. Steve was just the choice! Right away he understood the importance of the project and promised that the union would do all they could to help. With this first step, I began building the consortium that became the nucleus of what is certain to be a great venture…
- Robert Bradley, Cherry Blossom Loaves & Fishes
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