Earlier this week, a Bridgeport program shelved for two years due to COVID-19 returned. And it returned with a solid turnout and plenty of volunteers.

 

According to Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr, the Bridgeport Community Garden’s return turned out to be a successful one. More than a dozen volunteers showed up to help plant the 18 boxes that will provide fresh vegetables over the next few months to the city and area’s needy.

 

“We had a great turnout,” said Kerr. “It was so great to see people wanting to help out others.”

 

The group gathered Tuesday at the plot of land in front of the city’s maintenance garage and across from the former Ace Hardware building, which is now Big Daddy’s Discount Furniture.

 

Kerr said a group from the Bridgeport Library, female students that are part of the Bridgeport Juniorettes were on hand, as well as a mother and son combo, a combination of mother with her son and daughter, and a few others.

 

“We divided all of the participants up and then we got things going,” said Kerr.

 

The groups started at 1 p.m. Tuesday and worked until 3 p.m. While the labor was free, the city provided the items needed to make the gardens grown.

 

“The group was able to get the garden plots ready by putting in some topsoil, planting a variety of seeds and plants and added more top soil,” said Kerr. “After that, we watered everything extremely well.”

 

While the city paid for the plants, seeds, soil, and other items needed to get starting, there was some expert help from the outside. Kerr praised the presence of a staff member from the West Virginia University Extension office that provided pointers on how to properly plant the various items. And there were plenty.

 

“We planted radishes, three kinds of tomatoes, hot peppers, carrots, and everything in between,” said Kerr. “We’re expecting to be able to donate a large amount of fresh vegetables.”

 

The donations will be provided to the Bridgeport-based Shepherd’s Corner.

 

Editor's Note: Photo shows working being done Tuesday. A few additional photos in the gallery linked below.