Fighting Hunger on Chicago’s South Side

With more than 122,000 Chicagoans living in food deserts with little access to healthy food options, The Mission Continues 1st Platoon Chicago is enhancing the health and wellness of low-income neighborhoods. 1st Platoon Chicago recently partnered with community volunteers from Delaney’s Greenhouse to build a community garden at RTW Veteran Center on Chicago’s south side. The fresh produce from the garden will provide convenient, affordable, healthy food options for the local community.

Together, volunteers built 36 raised planting beds, six hoop houses to extend the growing season during Chicago’s cold winter months, three compost bins and a row planting space which will be used during Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder therapy sessions for veterans. The photos below highlights the magnitude of their impact.

Photo credit: Ken Jacobs

Are you a veteran interested in making an impact in your local community? Join a Service Platoon in your city today.