May 6, 2020
Organization will use grant to support produce donations & fund Online Activities programming
Sunflower Hill announced today that it has been awarded a grant from East Bay Community Energy (EBCE). The grant, totaling $10,000, will be used to support Sunflower Hill Garden produce donations, as well as fund programming for its Online Activities.
“We’re very grateful to receive this grant from East Bay Community Energy,” said Edie Nehls, Executive Director at Sunflower Hill. “This grant will enable us to continue to donate our fresh, organic produce to those in our community who are struggling with food insecurity. It will also allow us to further our mission to provide programs for adults with developmental disabilities, through our weekday, Online Activities programming, which provides life-skills, stress relief, and most importantly consistency for our program participants.”
As a result of the Covid-19 Shelter-at-Home Order, the organization has temporarily closed its Garden to volunteers and program participants who typically work alongside staff to maintain and harvest produce for donation. This grant will enable staff to continue to harvest produce to be donated to local non-profits including, Culinary Angels, Tri-Valley Haven, and most recently Shepherd’s Gate.
In addition to produce donations, the grant will fund continued Online Activities programming, which include a wide variety of learning and enrichment opportunities, such as: a weekly Garden update, Yoga For All Abilities videos, cooking lessons, life skills How-To Videos, scavenger hunts and more. Each activity provides an opportunity for exploration, experimentation, and sharing of the creations of those engaging with their online programming. Online Activities are posted on the organization’s website and social media each weekday at noon.
Sunflower Hill is dedicated to creating spaces and places where adults with developmental disabilities live, work, learn and realize their contributing place as part of the greater community. The organization creates residential communities and vocational and life skills programs that are set in a garden space, a restaurant, and soon at its residential community, Sunflower Hill at Irby Ranch, for adults with developmental disabilities.