“We’re hopeful provide it will provide a reduction in our electric bill by 50%, and all that money just goes back in to our programs and to serve families in crisis,” said Executive Director Angela York.

Every dollar the non-profit can save matters, as the money goes back to resources, such as the free grocery store, financial planning and bill assistance.

“We are using a lot of power, so it’s great to have a reduction in one of our largest costs that pertain to the building,” York said.

It’s the newest way the non-profit is being sustainable. Last fall, rotary clubs create a garden on-site.

“We grow vegetables and fruit that can go into our market, which is our free grocery store here on site,” York said.

It supplements what they receive from foodbanks and local farmers.

The way they designed the garden is sustainable, as the garden beds can self-water and save water by using pool liners. Through barrels, the non-profit collects rain water around the property.

“I think this would be expensive if we hadn’t designed it in a way that was sustainable, and using water that we were getting from God,” York said.

From October 2023 to this past May, no extra water was needed for the garden after the water store they created.

So far this year, the garden has produced 700 pounds of fruits and vegetables. York said it all makes a difference.

“Our whole model is to help families be sustainable,” York said, “so we’re modeling that with our efforts here, to have renewable energy, have saved water, you know, we are living that model for our families.”