The Pine Manor Improvement Association is now one step closer to its goal of reducing food insecurity in Pine Manor, thanks to a $7,500 donation from The Fort Myers Metro-McGregor Kiwanis.The funds will be used on the electrical and foundation work for a new refrigeration system for fresh fruits and vegetables in the Pine Manor Community Center’s food pantry. The expansion of the food pantry is also funded by American Rescue Plan Act funding through Lee County, and will include walk-in cooler/freezer and commercial grade shelving.
According to the Pine Manor Community Garden Chair Robin Gretz, the legacy of the garden is not what’s been grown, but the effect it’s had on the community.
In the low-income neighborhood of Pine Manor, a community garden makes a big difference in helping residents access resources at a time when prices are high and supply chains are stretched.