Volunteers join Senator Ana Quezada (center, in black) and garden leader Doug Victor (center, in green) at Peace & Plenty Garden to receive certificates of appreciation
Despite a bit of snow, dedicated volunteers gathered at Southside Community Land Trust’s Peace & Plenty Community Garden on December 5, 2024 to receive certificates of appreciation. Jointly presented by garden leader Doug Victor and RI Senator Ana Quezada, the ceremony recognized the year-round commitment of volunteers from The Wheeler School, West Bay Community Action, and local residents who maintain this vital community space in Providence’s Elmwood neighborhood.
Peace & Plenty, one of SCLT’s oldest community gardens, has served as a cornerstone of public engagement for nearly four decades. The garden has evolved into a dynamic shared space where gardeners with family plots mix with market growers, social service agencies, and neighbors to collaborate on environmental and cultural restoration and protection initiatives. Peace & Plenty welcomes the scientific community, studying populations and migrations of the wildlife that visits the oasis. Students learn about the impacts of paved heat islands on surrounding biodiversity.
At this hub of community, volunteers help with weeding, provide regular attention to the living compost piles, repair tools, assist in harvests, and more. Volunteers also work to maintain the adjacent Peace & Plenty Park and contribute to broader neighborhood care, including street tree maintenance and storm drain management.
Volunteers currently gather Thursday mornings and most Saturdays throughout the year, weather permitting, to maintain the garden. Those interested in joining the volunteer team can contact garden leader Doug. If you’d like to learn about other volunteer opportunities within SCLT’s community garden network, please contact Andrew Cook, Community Gardens Network Director.
