This spring, Landscaping students from Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (JCCCC) began growing a variety of vegetables and herbs on center.  The students have grown such produce as lettuce, onions, tomatoes, peppers, corn, cucumbers, cantaloupe, basil, thyme, and sage, just to name a few.

Once the vegetables and herbs grew to maturity, the students then harvested the crops and found multiple uses for this produce. The students have given the vegetables and herbs to Schenck’s Culinary Arts department for use in their food preparation on center.  The Culinary Arts department also plans to showcase these vegetables and herbs in meals they cook for various community dinners.   

Not only has Schenck JCCCC benefited from the harvesting of these vegetables and herbs, but a local nonprofit organization has also reaped the benefits.  Students from Schenck JCCCC have donated many of the harvested vegetables to Bread of Life, a nonprofit organization that provides meals and other services to needy individuals and families, so that many others can enjoy this wonderful produce. 

Michael Collins, the Director of Bread of Life, commented on Schenck’s involvement: “Schenck Job Corps Center joins the many farms in Transylvania County that have gleaned their fields for us. The food will go all over Transylvania County, providing 180 meals a day in Transylvania County.” Mr. Collins went on to say “Participation is the way to change the world. By participating, Schenck Job Corps Center has served the community very well; through their greenhouses and fields and by making and serving meals at Bread of Life, it makes a difference.”

Besides donating vegetables to Bread of Life, students from Schenck JCCCC also volunteer twice a week, cooking and serving meals at Bread of Life. The students enjoy helping out at Bread of Life, and they also take great pride in their People’s Garden. Students Terence Richardson and Alicia Bailey remarked “We really enjoy working in the People’s Garden. It feels good to give to those in need.”