Abundant Wellness ‘pays it forward’ |
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Debee Boulanger, owner of the Abundant Wellness Center in Chicopee, works in the community garden that benefits Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen.
Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
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July 18, 2011
By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
CHICOPEE — For Debee Boulanger of the Abundant Wellness Center, her garden project has the feel of “paying it forward” on a daily basis.
During a recent visit to the site at 94 Chicopee St., Boulanger touted the assistance of associates Rachel Ginther, Douglas Wilk, and Diane Tellier, who along with several clients, friends and family members, helped build the raised beds and donated monies, organic top soil and organic compost. Boulanger also acknowledged the Master Gardener’s Club for its assistance, as well as Glenn Joslyn of Moving and Odd Jobs Unlimited who donated time to help with the foundation of the garden.
“A friend donated a greenhouse to the community garden, however, I need someone to help me put it together,” Boulanger said, adding, “building things” is not her strong points.
In years past, the employees of the Abundant Wellness Center have given back to the community in numerous ways, including collecting more than 300 pounds of canned and boxed food for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, as well as raising $700 toward the soup kitchen’s new site on Meadow Street.
“Last year we were thinking of a really unique way to give back to our community and help our neighbors in need through Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen by producing something they can really use, food,” Boulanger said. “We raised a weekly bounty and it was really appreciated so we’re going to do our best to surpass what we gave last year.”
As Boulanger watered the variety of fruits, herbs and vegetables strategically placed in the raised beds made from tires donated by Town Fair Tire in Chicopee, she noted, “We have a lot of tomatoes that reseeded themselves from last year’s crop. We also did some companion planting with kale, carrots, Swiss chard, zucchini, winter squash, cucumbers, beets, bush beans, lettuce, eggplant, onions, peppers and mustard greens.”
Herbs growing amidst decorative garden ornaments and statues include basil, parsley, thyme, sage, chives, and cilantro.
Boulanger noted the garden project is an “organic labor of love.”
“Abundant Wellness is delighted to share this amazing organic produce with our neighbors at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen,” she said. “This community garden also has a teaching component where clients can learn some tips on growing an organic garden, such as developing knowledge and experience to start their own raised bed gardens at home or in their community school, place of business, or church.”
Boulanger added that learning organic gardening principles, crop rotation, pest management, soil integrity, and companion planting, adds to the enjoyment of good exercise along with the connection to nature.
“Most importantly, however, is having the opportunity to help neighbors in need to have the quality food they deserve,” she added.
As the owner of the Abundant Wellness Center, Boulanger noted the garden is dedicated to forging a bond between humans and the natural world through the miracle of seed sowing and plant growing.
“It all adds up to a healthier lifestyle,” Boulanger said. “I often refer to the fact quality supersedes quantity any day. We believe it is time to look at ourselves and our lifestyles and make the changes we need to be more happy and healthy.”
No garden is immune to nature, and Boulanger said one obstacle has been “critters.”
“We have resident groundhogs that live in the field in the back of our neighbor’s property,” Boulanger said. “This family keeps growing every year and these critters love to help themselves to the little green shoots of our vegetables and herbs. It’s just another small challenge in the life of a beautiful garden.”
Next year Boulanger expects the garden to continue to grow and prosper, and will also be building a labyrinth for a meditation garden — a perfect complement to the community garden and the wellness center’s many offerings.
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