WHEREAS, Garden Raised Bounty (GRuB) was founded in 1993 as a grass roots nonprofit organization dedicated to nourishing a strong community by empowering people and growing good food; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB has built over 2,200 free raised-bed vegetable gardens for low-income families in their community since 1993; and
     WHEREAS, Each of these gardens produce over 600 dollars worth of produce each year; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB employs and trains over thirty-five low-income teenagers every year to grow thousands of pounds of organic vegetables for the Olympia community and build free gardens for low-income families; and
     WHEREAS, Upon entering the program during the years of 2001 to 2008 only forty percent of GRuB's youth were on track to graduate, but now more than eighty-eight percent of them have graduated or earned their GED; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB has constructed a community and youth development facility and preserved a historic small urban farm ten minutes from downtown Olympia using, in part, Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development capital facilities funding; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB continues to meet an increasing demand on their services in the face of a struggling economy not only at home, but abroad; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB's successful programs for youth development and food production models has led to partnering with other communities to replicate the program; and
     WHEREAS, The GRuB pilot project in Lewis County will continue their successful efforts at the Growing Places Farm and Energy Park; and
     WHEREAS, GRuB will continue its dedication to grow inspired, self-confident, and community-minded youth and help low-income families and seniors to help themselves by building them raised-bed gardens at their homes;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate
recognize GRuB for its many contributions to the low-income youth and families of Washington and the betterment of our communities; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Kim Gaffi and Blue Peetz, Codirectors of GRuB.