LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – Students from Aquinas High School’s IMPACT program spent a summer morning at the Kane Street Community Garden, helping grow food that will be distributed to the community for free.
The student-led, faith-centered organization encourages teens to serve others through volunteer projects across the Coulee Region. On Tuesday, that mission brought 17 students to the one-acre garden, where they spent the morning planting and harvesting alongside volunteers.
The efforts of volunteers help keep the garden producing fresh produce for anyone in the community. This year, the Kane Street Community Garden hopes to grow more than 40,000 pounds of produce.
Garden Manager Dylan Hanneman said the students accomplished an impressive amount of work in just a few hours.
“For perspective, they maybe just pulled up a couple thousand cloves of garlic and they planted a couple thousand pounds of potatoes,” Hanneman said.
For students like Faith, a senior correlator with Aquinas IMPACT, the experience made the effects of volunteering visible.
“It’s just awesome seeing the impact that we can do,” Faith said. “I mean, I just didn’t even realize how much me being here today—like, I can actually see the action. I can see the impact that we’re serving in the community.”
Gabe, a senior liaison with Aquinas IMPACT, said the work is especially meaningful because many people depend on the garden.
“There are a lot of people that rely on this and can’t really get food on their own and need the help of others, and that’s just what we’re trying to do,” Gabe said.
Students say volunteering has become one of the most rewarding parts of their summer, proving community service can be both meaningful and enjoyable.
“I think volunteering people are like, ‘it’s no fun, it’s a chore,’ but it’s not a chore—it’s far from it, actually,” said Rhett, a senior liaison with Aquinas IMPACT. “It’s just fun to bond with your friends and help the community while you’re doing that.”
Faith said she hopes their work inspires others to give back, reflecting IMPACT’s mission of encouraging service through example.
“I hope they take away a sense to help other people and maybe come back to the garden and continue to help out and continue to benefit their community,” Faith said.
Hanneman also hoped to clear up a common misconception about the garden. He said some people believe they are “not in need enough” to take produce, but that’s not the case.
“Anybody can come here and grab food,” Hanneman said. “There’s no limits on your income, there’s no limits on your ability.”
The Kane Street Community Garden distributes free produce every Monday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through October 15.
The garden is always looking for volunteers. For more information, click here.
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