Each year funds raised by the Garden Walk are earmarked to go towards community organizations. The money helps to make the city a better place to live through aesthetic improvements such as establishing community gardens or hanging planters.
The Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants (named after Garden Walk founder) have gone a long way towards helping to build grassroots projects in our neighborhoods over the years. Some recipients of the grant apply for matching government funds and private contributions in order to elevate their projects for additional impact in the community. Without the initial beautification grants, none of the initiatives would be possible. All you have to do is look around the city to see the impact that the Garden Walk has made on our neighborhoods.
2014 is no different. This year a series of beautification efforts will commence thanks to the allotted grant funds. The following groups are the recipients of the $8,945 raised last year:
5 Loaves Farm (lead image – see Facebook)
Allentown Association, Welcome to Allentown Sign Project
American Red Cross
Ardmore Place Block Club
Armory Hill Neighborhood Assn.
Block Alliance of Sixteenth Street
Buffalo In Bloom, Niagara Square
Claremont Community Block Club
Cottage District Neighborhood Assn.
Days Park Block Club
Elmwood Village Association, Bidwell and North Street Gardens and Dancing Ladies hanging planters
Elmwood Village Charter School
Evergreen Health Services , Inc, New memorial for the Life Memorial Park
Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association, 220 Jersey Garden Project
Journey’s End
Linwood Preservation District, Lilies on Linwood project
One Symphony Circle, First Pres. Church
Unity Church of Buffalo
Since 2005, 80 garden beautification projects have benefitted from the Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants, totaling more than $60,000. Funds are allocated per the financial needs of the recipients.