Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Park Community Development Corporation
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: The Park CDC
Mailing Address: 800 Briar Creek Road, Suite AA520
City: Charlotte
State: North Carolina
Postal Code: 28205
Main Phone: 704-209-5057
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.theparkcdc.org/
Employer ID Number: 81-2704358
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/15/2-25
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Sunset Farm Food Access & Horticulture Education Programs
Project Description:

West Charlotte has been identified as a food desert as it continually struggles with food injustice. Among local residents, only 15.8% of the target population is within proximity to a chain grocery store, compared to 31.6% for the entire Mecklenburg County. Additionally, according to the 2021 One Health Alliance Charlotte, the food insecurity index ranks the population residing in three zip codes served at the highest levels susceptible to food insecurity.

In response to this issue, The Park CDCs’s Sunset Farm Food Access & Horticulture Education Programs support the West Charlotte community through the following six key strategies:

(1) Providing cost-free, fresh, locally-grown, pesticide-free produce to local residents
(2) Educating participants about where food comes from and how it grows
(3) Demonstrating how to easily grow nutrient-dense foods at home to reduce dependency on grocery stores
(4) Promoting healthier eating habits by giving participants agency in growing and consuming their own food
(5) Fostering physical and mental wellbeing from gardening
(6) Increasing health literacy through the distribution of literature which provides nutrition education and healthy recipes

The holistic approach of Sunset Farm’s harvest distribution, gardening workshops, and horticulture education programs address local food injustice, fosters food independence, and improves health outcomes among West Charlotte youth, adults, and seniors.

To expand this work, The Park CDC would like to build a covered wash and pack station and install a covered walk-in cooler at its Sunset Farm. These are necessary additions to the farm because currently there is no way for the team to store and prepare vegetables for distribution after the harvest. Currently, produce is distributed the same day it is harvested. The wash and pack system will allow the team to more efficiently clean produce prior to distribution, and the walk-in cooler will allow for safe storage of produce.

Total Project Budget: $28,800

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Martin Marietta, Whole Foods Whole Kids Foundation, & Carolina Panthers Charities

Project Duration: 12 months (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025)
Geographical Area Served: West Charlotte, North Carolina (zip codes 28206, 28208, & 28216)
Age Group To Be Served: All Ages (youth, adults, and seniors)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Lauren
Contact Last Name: Grant
Contact Title: Director of Development & Communicatiosn
Contact Phone: 704-209-5057 x2
Contact Email: lauren@theparkcdc.org