Celebrating 10 Years of Healthy Gardens!

Inspiritus' Healthy Gardens Program is *growing* strong!

After a 10-year success rate, Inspiritus' Healthy Gardens Program is expanding into new neighborhoods and communities. On Saturday, June 26th, we will plant raised-bed gardens at the historical Bradley Academy & Museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Inspiritus has also been asked to collaborate with Rosenwald Schools, a historical site in Bedford County, where we will be planting 10-20 raised garden beds (this site sits right next to a public housing community in Shelbyville, TN).

Our Healthy Gardens Program provides raised-bed gardens to teach and empower families living in public and subsidized-housing to grow their own fresh vegetables. These gardens increase the nutritional content of meals in the diets of families who often live in food deserts, struggle with transportation, and consume high fat and high salt content foods.

These gardens have proven to decrease a sense of isolation and promote healthy social interaction and support.

Cathy, one of our outstanding gardeners in Murfreesboro, had this to say about our program:

"It's awesome. I already ate 11 cucumbers and have lots of green big tomatoes. Next week, I'll be giving them away because I have so many! The lady at Salvation Army who feeds the homeless said she will take all the extras I have to make soup. I've already given them 2 sacks of sweet peas! Feels too good to give rather than get."

By raising gardens, individuals and families gain independence and responsibility as each garden is usually located right outside their home. Inspiritus provides everything a family needs to get started: raised-beds, soil, seeds, plants, tools, and on-going mentoring. Through this service, program participants are able to increase their self-esteem as they continue to garden successfully year after year - learning new techniques and sharing their experience with others in their community.

In honor of our 10th anniversary, please consider a donation to our Healthy Gardens Program so we can continue to empower these individuals and families on their path from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

Inspirational Gardening

Hello Friends,

As we head into the holiday weekend, we are reminded of the joys of enjoying outdoor activities. With weather this warm, it's prime gardening time. We'd like to share the story of a very special gardener who is near and dear to our hearts: Charlie Jones.

Charlie lives at MDHA's Cheatham Place and is an active participant in our Healthy Gardens program. From tilling the soil to thoughtfully caring for each fruit and vegetable, Charlie sees his garden as an opportunity to not only be self-sufficient (he lost both legs a few years ago), but to also plant seeds of inspiration within his neighbors throughout Cheatham Place.

Watch Charlie's story by clicking on the image below:

Charlie Jones, our wonderful gardener from Cheatham Place

Our Healthy Gardens program has been helping people like Charlie since 2011. We started with just 12 gardens for elderly, parents, and children in low-income areas. Those 12 initial gardens have now grown to over 204+ gardens in three counties in Middle Tennessee!

Through Healthy Gardens, families and individuals have easy and free access to fruits and vegetables to supplement their meals as well as a healthy outlet for relieving stress and staying active.

Another resident at Cheatham Place gardening

Your donations help us empower these vulnerable friends of ours with the opportunity to increase their food security, as well as improve their overall health and well-being.

We hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy during these upcoming summer months. Thank you for your prayers and support. I pray you have a fun and restful Memorial Day weekend!

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Middle Tennessee Regional Director
Inspiritus

More Cheatham Place residents enjoying our annual plant day. The beginning of May marked 10 YEARS of GARDENING for our wonderful gardeners in Cheatham Place.

There's Still Time to Give to The Big Payback !

Hi Friends,

The Big Payback ends tonight! If you haven't made a donation-there's still time to support our Middle Tennessee programs. Plus, there is a $100 match for every organization that raises $100 by 12pm today!

We're so grateful to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for holding this annual 24-hour online giving event. Every donation helps Inspiritus raise funds and brings awareness to pressing needs in our community.

Here are ways you can help:

$25 will help end hunger for families in need

Inspiritus is providing food to the most vulnerable of families throughout Middle Tennessee, especially seniors and those living with disabilities. Your gift will ensure these families have the food they need this month.

Donate HERE

$50 will provide art therapy kits for kids

Inspiritus is guiding children through healthy ways of coping with traumatic experiences. Your gift will provide art therapy kits for children living in low income communities in Middle Tennessee.

Donate HERE

$125 will help build gardens for hungry families

Inspiritus is planting hundreds of home gardens for families and seniors living in low-income communities and food deserts. Your gift will help build two gardens this month.

Donate HERE

$250 will help families impacted by the pandemic

A year later, COVID-19 is still impacting families across Middle Tennessee. Your gift will ensure these families receive the help they need.

Donate HERE

$500 will help give hope to tornado & flood survivors

Inspiritus is assisting families whose homes have been damaged by recent floods in Nashville. We are still on the ground in Cookeville helping families rebuild after last year’s tornado. Your gift will ensure these families have the help they need to recover and thrive again.

Donate HERE

Thank you for your donations during this very important fundraising day!

Even if you're unable to give, you can show your support today by sharing this email across your personal and social networks. Please use the hashtags #TheBigPayback and #Inspiritus when sharing across your social networks.

Your generosity will help more individuals and families get back on the path from surviving to thriving. We are so grateful for your support.

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Regional Director, Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus

The Big Payback Starts Today!

Hi Friends,

The Big Payback starts today! The next 24-hours is a very important fundraising event for us. Join us and please spread the word.

The Big Payback, hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, is a community-wide giving day which shines a spotlight on local giving and motivates Middle Tennessee to “give back” in a big way.

This 24-hour online giving event helps Inspiritus raise funds and brings awareness to pressing needs in our community. It’s also the prime time of year to give!

Here are ways you can help:

$25 will help end hunger for families in need

Inspiritus is providing food to the most vulnerable of families throughout Middle Tennessee, especially seniors and those living with disabilities. Your gift will ensure these families have the food they need this month.

Donate HERE

$50 will provide art therapy kits for kids

Inspiritus is guiding children through healthy ways of coping with traumatic experiences. Your gift will provide art therapy kits for children living in low income communities in Middle Tennessee.

Donate HERE

$125 will help build gardens for hungry families

Inspiritus is planting hundreds of home gardens for families and seniors living in low-income communities and food deserts. Your gift will help build two gardens this month.

Donate HERE

$250 will help families impacted by the pandemic

A year later, COVID-19 is still impacting families across Middle Tennessee. Your gift will ensure these families receive the help they need.

Donate HERE

$500 will help give hope to tornado & flood survivors

Inspiritus is assisting families whose homes have been damaged by recent floods in Nashville. We are still on the ground in Cookeville helping families rebuild after last year’s tornado. Your gift will ensure these families have the help they need to recover and thrive again.

Donate HERE

Thank you for your donations during this very important fundraising day!

Even if you're unable to give, you can show your support today by sharing this email across your personal and social networks. Please use the hashtags #TheBigPayback and #Inspiritus when sharing across your social networks.

Your generosity will help more individuals and families get back on the path from surviving to thriving. We are so grateful for your support.

With Gratitude,

Janet Arning
Regional Director, Middle Tennessee
Inspiritus