Viewfinder: Services for Older Citizens Urban Garden

A few dozen volunteers planted a multitude of vegetables Saturday on the grounds of Riverview Health and Rehab in a joint project with with the goal of serving fresh food to Meals on Wheels recipients. 

Tomatoes, califlour, canteloupe, strawberries and lettuce were among the many vegetables and fruits planted in the large garden, SOC Executive Director Sharon Maier said. 

The project is the result of a suggestion by Riverview Health and Rehab Director of Operations Tim Kameso. He said during a recent zoning meeting in Grosse Pointe he heard Maier talking about the hundreds of people fed by the Meals on Wheels program and thought it would be a good opportunity to team up and help each other. Riverview has plenty of land, he said, making it an excellent location and furthering the goals to help older citizens.

Riverview is owned by the same group who is slated to develop the Rivers of Grosse Pointe at the former Children's Home of Detroit on Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. 

Hundreds of plants were in the ground  and already being watered within an hour of the project starting. 

Maier and Kameso just came up with the idea last week and made it come to life quickly. Maier said she's spent a great deal of time on the phone recruiting volunteers not only for Saturday but also for the maintenance of the urban garden. She already has many organizations and gardeners offering their time and more are welcome, she said.