January 14, 2024 -
May 5, 2024
ZHZW Youth Community Project (10 hours)
sponsored by Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste
Local Service, Global Impact
SKILLS DEVELOPED
Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical thinking, Initiative, Leadership
SUMMARY
Reflection
My project involved repurposing glass jelly jars to create a garden for the Meridian High School community. I started by collecting the jars from meal packing events hosted at our school, and then I worked on designing and setting up the garden. This required careful planning to ensure the jars were arranged effectively for growing plants while also considering aesthetics. I also chose to grow herbs and specific vegetables in the jars, promoting sustainability and reducing waste in line with the council's goals. These plants will begin to grow in their jars and then be transferred into the larger garden beds located at Meridian High School. Overall, my initiative demonstrates a creative and eco-friendly approach to gardening and food sustainability.
Project Impact
By repurposing glass jelly jars to create a garden I created a floating garden comprised of 50 jelly jars filled with herbs and vegetables which will begin growing in the jars and then be transferred into the larger beds when sprouted. Additionally, I held a jar planting station during the Meridian High School Earth Day celebration where middle and high school students came and made personal gardens which they then were able to take home in order to foster their own herb/vegetable starter garden. In total we saved 200 jars from the landfill and brought them new purpose that will foster sustainability within the Falls Church Community and beyond!
PROJECTS TASKS
Idea - Proposal Submission
1.00 hour leading a program | Curiosity
I wrote my proposal for the Zero Waste project that I plan to initiate and execute through the ZHZW Youth Advisory Council.
Planning & Partnering for Success
3.00 hours leading a program | Connectedness
Throughout this process I met with the other Hand to Hunger executives and planned the upcoming events with my project for the ZHZW Youth Advisory Council.
Preparation, Promotion & Project Execution
5.00 hours leading a program | Connectedness
We build the outdoor gardens using the materials that have been reused from the HandtoHunger meal packing events. Additionally, this outdoor garden was built during an Earth Day Celebration where all the high schoolers and middle schoolers came and were exposed to sustainable projects going on within the school community.
Celebrate Impact & Reflection
1.00 hour leading a program | Compassion
Overall, I learned and grew so much during the completion of this process. I initially thought this project would look like some sort of an Earth Day rally for the Elementary school, but I am proud to discuss the impact that I made within the High School community. I got to learn how to build and lead a team from the beginning to the end, and also how to incorporate sustainability into lifestyles that need flexibility. All in all this was a great experience and I can't wait to share about it during the next meeting!
Aid/Relief
Climate & Wildlife
Equality
