Fundraiser planned for The Garden

The Garden Party, planned for 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, will be the third annual fundraiser for The Garden in Siloam Springs.

The event will be held outdoors at The Garden, which is located behind Grace Episcopal Church. It will include food, an open bar, music, and a live and silent auction, according to Patty Arnett, director of the nonprofit community garden.

The Garden is designed to address the problem of food insecurity in the local community, according to Arnett. Hunger is more of a problem in Siloam Springs than most people are aware of, and many kids count on programs like The Garden's little free food pantry, Arnett said.

"Hunger looks really different than you think it's going to look like," she said.

The Garden is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to anyone who would like to stop by and pick some vegetables or herbs, she said. Those who frequent The Garden are also encouraged to take time to pull a few weeds or water while they are there.

Arnett emphasized that everyone is welcome, whether or not they are in need. The more people who go to The Garden, the more those who are truly in need will feel comfortable being there, she said.

A second aim of The Garden is to educate people about gardening and preparing healthy food, Arnett said. Last year, more than 1,000 school children toured the garden. In addition, about 200 school children were involved in three volunteer events, which included starting seedlings in their classrooms, a planting session and other workshops, she said.

Last fall, The Garden added a Little Free Food Pantry that stocks non-perishable food and other necessities. People can stop by and get what they need any time of the day, and volunteers can also stop and fill the pantry. This summer, The Garden has grown to include a second satellite garden at The Manna Center, which is tended by the children at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County, Arnett said. It was funded in part by a $500 grant from the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, she said.

The Garden board will be preparing the food for The Garden Party. It will include hors d'oeuvres, salads, three hearty soups, and a selection of breads, Arnett said. Music will be provided by a string quartet and by Code Shirley, a blues and rock band from Stillwater, Okla.

Tickets are on sale now through Oct. 1, and can be purchased online at www.eveneventbrite.com on The Garden Party page, or by contacting Patty Arnett at [email protected] or 479-220-8171. More informatioin about The Garden is available at www.thegardeninsiloamsprings.com.