Group Donates Materials, Staff for ‘Portable Garden’

In a show of community spirit, the Junior League of Long Beach has donated the staff, money and materials to build a “portable garden” for Volunteers of America, which provides low-cost meals to the elderly of Long Beach.

“The goal of the garden is to beautify the neighborhood,” said Donna Skinner, director of senior services at Volunteers of America in Long Beach. It also gives the cooks and helpers an opportunity to get out of the kitchens and into the community, she said.

The garden, which is designed to be moved easily to accommodate renovations on the organization’s property, includes 10 large potted plants, a drip watering system, a large patio table, chairs and an umbrella.

Chantal Joubert of the Junior League said that setting up the garden would provide more than just shade for volunteers.

“We get the satisfaction of helping out an organization that helps the community,” she said.