BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – Nexstar Media Group is celebrating its 27th anniversary with a week of volunteer work in the community.
Nexstar’s NBC and FOX affiliates took part in gardening and serving food to neighborhoods.
This year, affiliates worked with organizers from Baton Roots Community Farm and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Sharon Weston Broome’s summer youth program. Baton Roots is helping to fight against food insecurities that people are facing by growing fresh fruits and vegetables. They also educate people on how to grow their own fresh foods as well.
“So right now, we’re just doing some maintenance, were trying to get these weeds out between all the plants because they compete for nutrients, and they can also harbor pests and diseases,” said Mitchell Provensal.
Organizers said within the last three to four years they’ve grown with more than 5,000 square feet of fresh veggies and fruit.
“I think it’s great that everybody takes a part of their food system and either volunteering in Baton Rouge or starting their own home garden and producing a little for yourself and sharing with your community,” said Provensal.
And within just a short amount of time organizers were able to turn new gardeners into experts.
At the St. Vincent De Paul dining room, BRPROUD volunteers handed out hot meals. The non-profit feeds people every day from 11:30 am to 1 p.m.
“Anybody who’s hungry, they walk in and wash their hands and we serve them,” said Denise Terrance. Terrance is the dining room and food services director. Terrance says she’s happy with the support the organization has been receiving.
“We’re just grateful that people come by, and they drop off things, they’ll call and say what do you need, and they’ll bring it. Right now, water, Gatorade, and hydrated drinks are what we’re calling for now,” said Terrance.
With continuous love and support from the community, both organizations will continue to grow and make a difference in Baton Rouge.