LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded a special $6,000 grant to Lots to Gardens to help it continue its work building social capital in the community. The money was provided by the Sandy River Charitable Foundation as a way to recognize local organizations that build community through innovative programs and services.

“The work that Lots to Gardens has done over the last 10 years has been exemplary,” said Bill Hiss, chairman of the Androscoggin County Committee. “They build social capital by bringing together people of all ages and from different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds to grow food, learn about healthy recipes and ways of cooking, promote leadership and conduct community service.”

Lots to Gardens, a program of St. Mary’s Health System, uses sustainable urban gardens to create access to fresh food, empower youth and build community in Lewiston. Through its work, it raises community awareness about local food systems and work with youth to create solutions to address food insecurity. To learn more, visit www.lotstogardens.org.