NEWPORT, Ark. (KAIT) – Newport’s newest community project hopes to put more than smiles on people’s faces.
The Newport Community Garden Initiative will provide produce to residents in the community.
A ribbon cutting for the free community garden, located at the corner of Main Street and Remmel Avenue, was held Wednesday, May 7.
Kendra Pruitt, founder and president of Club R.E.S.T.O.R.E., said the garden was a dream of several community members.
“Michelle Johnson, Sharon Pruitt, and Leah Keel. They envisioned this and made this come to fruition,” she said. “We’re really excited about this opportunity to not only feed our community here in Newport but also provide opportunities for folks to work and to volunteer and show what’s possible with untapped potential.”
The Newport School District donated the land and laborers from the Arkansas Department of Corrections planted the crop.
Pruitt said providing free produce to community members was heartwarming to everyone involved.
“We know the difficult times, economically, we’re dealing with in our country and our state and in this very community,” she said. “So, it means so much to be able to provide this resource to our residents free of charge. And it’s truly been a holistic partnership with the city.”
The garden is more than an opportunity to feed the community.
“There’s something they can take pride in. It’s not an empty lot anymore. This is beautiful, aesthetically and spiritually, and emotionally. It just provides so much for this community,” said Pruitt. “We’re planting literally in the ground, but it’s also launching a movement and it’s showing people what’s possible. It shows people what’s possible when folks come together. It’s about partnership, and it’s about really showing our community that we can do whatever we put our minds to.”
Pruitt said there are plans to add benches to the garden and to make it a gathering space for community members.
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