CSKT awarded grant for community garden

The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes was awarded a $7,000 grant from AARP Montana to create a community garden.

The garden will include a greenhouse as well as adjacent garden space that is already fenced. Produce from the garden will be provided to congregate meal programs at six senior centers on the reservation.

AARP Montana announced the grant award last week, along with grants to three other organizations throughout the state for a total of $41,608.

Grantees are to implement quick-action projects that help communities become even more livable in the long-term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.

“AARP Montana is thrilled to grant these funds to help already great communities across Montana become even better places for people of all ages to live and thrive.” said AARP Montana State Director, Tim Summers. “Over the past five years we have funded over 30 different Montana projects and we have worked with grantees on a wide range of ideas from creating safer streets, improving public transportation, trails and parks to creating community gardens and enlivening neighborhoods with murals, benches, lighting, planter boxes and bike racks.”

Since 2017, AARP Montana has awarded 30 Community Challenge grants totaling $280,636 to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

Later this summer, AARP Montana will be announcing addition Community Challenge Grant winners that are funded through the AARP Montana state office.