FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2022
Contact: Danielle Miller, dmiller@dillard.edu
504.816.4328
NEW ORLEANS — Dillard’s Office of Community and Church Relations has received a grant of $10,000 through the AARP Community Challenge to support a community garden at Bethany United Methodist Church, located in Pontchartrain Park.
The grant will fund 20 raised-bed garden boxes as well as six healthy cooking demonstrations and four health fairs. The community garden will help to fight obesity, diabetes, heart disease and mental health in the New Orleans community.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable community-academic partnership between Dillard University’s Office of Community and Church Relations, Dillard University’s academic departments, AARP and Bethany United Methodist Church, which will mutually benefit the health and welfare of residents by addressing health disparities and the social determinants of residents in underserved communities,” said director of Community and Church Relations Nick Harris.
The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages.
“The project will combat food deserts and provide nutrition education by creating and expanding community gardens that produce fresh vegetables for senior citizens and families,” Harris added.
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Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Founded in 1869, Dillard is Louisiana’s oldest HBCU, born from the union of Straight College and New Orleans University. Find out more by visiting www.dillard.edu.
