Tools for Soulsville's Urban Forest & Community Garden

We are raising money to buy some much-needed tools for the AMEF Urban Forest and Community Garden. As volunteers in the garden during an alternative spring break trip, we were struck by the generosity and passion of the community organizers who are creating this garden. We helped them work on clearing a large overgrown area that will be replaced with more garden beds and landscaping, and we noticed that many of their tools were in disrepair. They were such gracious hosts to us, and we decided that one way for us to give back would be raising the money for some new tools. In this project, we merely hope to buy the necessary tools and to spread the word about the wonderful work these folks are doing.

Once we meet our fundraising goal, we will ensure that quality tools are purchased for the garden. We will also ensure that there is a safe place for storing the tools nearby.

The AMEF Urban Forest and Community Garden works to reduce blight and to address food desert conditions in Soulsville, an historic South Memphis Community that is home to Stax Records and LeMoyne-Owen College. This neighborhood is now filled with many vacant, unkept lots, but the Alpha Memphis Education Foundation (AMEF) has been making a difference through their community work both in and beyond this garden. There they have been working to reforest the area, to establish a strong community garden, and to be a source of pride in the neighborhood. They bring neighbors together, provide fresh food to those in need, and graciously host dozens of volunteers who want to serve the community. They also develop leaders and educate through their community service.