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Happy Spring! The longer days and warmer temperatures are here and we couldn't be more excited to kick off our 2019 Community Roots Garden season.

The SPUR Community Roots Garden was established in 2016 to grow fresh produce to benefit local food pantries and community programs. In 2017, the garden was relocated to St. Andrew's Church in Marblehead, allowing the garden to triple in size and impact. In 2018 alone, SPUR's Community Roots Garden provided 1,414 servings (just over 750 lbs) of organic veggies and herbs to local food pantries. 

This year we felt it was important to have a conversation with clients of the pantries to determine what vegetables are enjoyed to help shape what we grow. As a result, this year our Spring Crop will be: sugar snap peas, kale, chard, beets, spinach, lettuce (romaine), radish, carrots, onions, and potatoes. *Carrots, onions, and potatoes are new to the garden this year. 

Our Summer Crop will be: cucumber, tomato (roma & cherry), peppers, eggplant, green beans, zucchini, butternut squash, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, and celery. The kale, chard, spinach, carrots, romaine, and potatoes will continue from our Spring Planting.  *Butternut squash will be a new summer planting. 
We rely on volunteers throughout the season to help us plant, maintain, and harvest the produce. Last week many volunteers got their hands dirty in the garden for our spring clean in anticipation of our upcoming cold weather planting on April 6. 

The SPUR Community Roots garden at St. Andrew's is a tangible way to connect with one another and bridge the gap for those who may have barriers accessing healthy food, free of toxins and grown with a whole lot of love. We invite all members of our community, regardless of gardening experience, to join us in the garden this season! Please click here to signup for our gardening volunteer list and learn ore about flexible ways to engage. 

Our next opportunity to volunteer in the SPUR Community Roots Garden comes on Saturday April 6 from 10 am - noon (rain date is April 7). Sign up here. 

 
VOLUNTEER

Community Roots Garden Cold Weather Planting
April 6, 10:00 am - noon (rain date April 7)
Sign Up Now 

Root Dinner Service 
April 10, 4:45 - 7:15 pm
Sign Up Now 

Lifebridge Meal Service 
April 17, 5:30 - 7:00 pm 
Sign Up Now 

Earth Day Cleanup 
April 28, 1:30 - 3:30 pm 
Sign Up Now 
ENRICHMENT

Youth Enrichment Workshops
September - June, we invite youth ages 4-11, to participate in age appropriate discussion on community, stewardship & social action. This spring the SPUR Youth Enrichment Workshops focus on the topic of "stewardship" and taking care of something. Remaining dates are April 28 and May 18. Register Here
 

Limited space available for Summer camp!
Camp InSPURation at Tower School empowers participants, ages 12-16, to realize their potential to positively impact the community while developing architectural and building skills, critical thinking, project planning and leadership abilities. Together, campers, skilled architects and experienced builders will design, build and deliver a playhouse to Children's Friend and Family Services in Salem.

HOURS / TUITION
July 29 - August 9
Mon–Fri 9 am–4 pm
$879 ($12.56/hr)
Use code MOREFUN to receive a $25 discount

Register now.
NEWS

Summer Fling Pre-Sale Tickets Available
July 13, 2019
Purchase Here. Read more about our annual fundraiser here.

Marblehead Seed Grant Program Grows Great Ideas 
February 28, 2019
Read Here

Volunteer Group Leads Marblehead Into New Year
January 4, 2019
Read Here 

Save the Date, sign-ups coming soon: 

Lifebridge Meal Service - May 12, June 18

Sew Good Together - May 15, June 12 
 
One of our current SPUR Seed Grants is supporting the expansion of the Stop, Look, and Wave (SLW) Project, by purchasing the supplies needed to continue painting signs throughout Marblehead.

This initiative asks pedestrians to stop on the sidewalk before crossing at a crosswalk, look both ways and make eye contact with drivers coming in both directions and wave, waiting for the driver or drivers to wave back to acknowledge that they see you. To remind pedestrians of this effort, the SLW team created a stencil that you can find painted at many of the crosswalks throughout town. 

The SLW team, Annabelle, Lucy, and Shrreya, are working hard to paint the remaining crosswalks throughout town and to continue to spread the word. They are looking for volunteers from the community to help with painting signs this spring. You could be part of this effort! Stay tuned for more details on how to get involved. 

SPUR is proud to empower the SLW team to spread this message of safety throughout the Marblehead community. Be on the lookout for more signs around town and stay safe!
As Founder & Executive Director, I couldn't be more excited to share this news!

Working with a dynamic Board and incredible core group of volunteers over the past 4 years, the idea of SPUR has grow into a multifaceted organization, offering an array of multi-generational volunteer opportunities & youth enrichment programming.  Aimed at developing a passion for volunteerism and increasing community engagement, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of both our recipients and our volunteers.

This past fall, we welcomed Jackie Mongiello as our first employee (Director of Finance and Operations), and are now inviting qualified and passionate individuals to apply for our new Program & Event Drive Manager position. 

Investing in our organization by beginning to build a staff team of qualified and committed leaders is the next step, on a solid foundation, to a stable and long lasting organization. Measured decisions to scale SPUR will help ensure our mission is executed effectively and our impact continues to increase, touching lives and cultivating a Community of Doers.

Please share with experienced, passionate individuals who may be interested in applying. Details and application instructions here.

*Headshot courtesy of Eventide Photography
 

 
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When we SPUR good deeds, moments become memories,
strangers become neighbors and volunteering becomes passion.
We are a community of doers: Join us.

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