SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — An organization that helps families with kids receiving hospital care in Sioux Falls just cut the ribbon on its new garden Monday.
The garden is located at the Ronald McDonald House near Sanford Hospital.
Supporters of the Ronald McDonald House put their green thumbs to use Monday by planting the garden beds.
From peppers to watermelons, the garden will eventually be full of fresh produce ready to be picked.
The outdoor space is called the Northwestern Mutual Serenity Garden.
“Promoting healthy eating habits is really important to us, and we just want to foster those family relationships as well, so when Northwestern Mutual reached out to us to about wanting to make a big impact in some way, I knew a garden with healthy herbs and vegetables and fruits would be the perfect way to do it,” said Jessica Arend with Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota.
Sanford Health and Madison Lawn and Landscape also helped make the project possible.
Families staying at the Ronald McDonald house will be able to enjoy the fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Volunteer groups may also use the produce to cook meals for families.
“This is going to create a beautiful place where families can come, they can feel for just a little bit that they are living a normal life and they can truly get some solace from what’s going on at the hospital,” said Kristin Hoefert with Northwestern Mutual.
But the garden beds aren’t the only new source for produce.
The project also includes a hydroponic garden inside the Ronald McDonald House, something that can be used year-round.
“Families that stay with us are really going through the most difficult times of their lives having a child in the hospital. We want to relieve a little of bit of burden, and we felt like healthy eating, providing food that can nourish them, and really give them the most energy they can have so they can be the best they can for their children in the hospital,” Arend said.
