Thanks to Groupon supporters, the Coalition starts a new community garden in North Philadelphia.

	Coalition staffers prep the Francisville site.
	Staffer Christine Leistner transports soil for the garden beds with the help of Bryn Mawr College intern Sarah Lovegren.

In early June, Coalition staffers and volunteers broke ground on a community garden in the Francisville neighborhood of North Philadelphia, just a few blocks from our office.

Harvested vegetables will go to neighborhood food pantries throughout the growing season. Our first planting included tomatoes, zucchini, collard greens and herbs.

In addition to providing low-income families with fresh produce, the garden will also contribute to the revitalization of the Francisville neighborhood.

The community garden was made possible with funding from Groupon and the Pincus Fund for Hunger Relief. From May 17 to 20, Groupon featured our Community Garden fundraising campaign on its website and in its daily e-mail to subscribers. Donations were matched by the Pincus Fund.

Within a day and a half after its launch, the project surpassed its fundraising goal, ensuring startup funds for new community garden.

Thank you to all of our Groupon supporters, the Pincus Fund for Hunger Relief and the following individuals for their contributions:

• Al Brenner
• John Genovese
• Brian Laabs
• Penelope Giles, Francisville CDC
• Joe Brandolo, Slow Food
• Kestrel Plump, Weaver's Way
• Sarah Lovegren