Richmond Small Business Owners Unite to Support Local Community Garden

The official opening of the new garden will be kicked off with a celebration event on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 11:15 a.m. at 13621 West Salisbury Road, and will feature cookies and lemonade, opportunities to explore and tend to the garden, and more. Salisbury Presbyterian Church warmly invites the community to join in the celebration and experience the joy of what God is doing for those in need.

Founded in 2011, the Salisbury Presbyterian Church Giving Garden has produced 1,000 pounds of food annually, working with local food pantries such as St Mathias and Broken Loaves to provide fresh vegetables to those without access. The garden previously covered 1,600 square feet, and with the help of Labrecque’s irrigation services, the space will expand by an additional 3,000 square feet, roughly tripling the capabilities of the church’s harvest. Popio donated lighting by the gate of the garden to ensure it remains a safe space even after sunset, enhancing its usability and security.

“We are incredibly thankful for Jeff and Rick and the services they provided in expanding our Giving Garden,” said Dr. Jim King, Senior Pastor of Salisbury Presbyterian Church. “Their contribution will have a lasting impact, enabling the garden to grow over a ton of produce annually. This produce will help address the issue of food scarcity that many in our community face.”

Not only do these efforts showcase the spirit of community and teamwork within Richmond, but they also highlight the contributions of Labrecque and Popio. Their commitment to giving back to the communities they serve is evident in their actions. Empower Brands is proud to support initiatives like this that benefit the community and foster collaboration and goodwill among its franchisees. By working together, franchisees can leverage a network of resources and expertise, making collaborative initiatives both seamless and effective.

"We're excited to be part of a project that has such a positive impact on our community," said Labrecque. "By expanding the garden, we're not just providing more food; we're also creating a space where people can come together, learn and grow. It’s a privilege to work alongside Rick and Salisbury to see how our combined efforts can make a real difference."