DHSS Press Release

SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR AUGUST COMMUNITY GARDEN FAIR

DOVER - Sponsors and exhibitors are now being sought for an August Garden Fair, open to the entire Delaware community, to benefit the "Planting Hope in Delaware" initiative at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Herman Holloway campus in New Castle.

The campus garden was created to provide a healthy activity for persons with disabilities and a place for DHSS and volunteers to grow fresh, healthy food to enhance and improve the health of the greater community. Surplus food will be donated to local food banks. The Garden Fair, to be held Aug. 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the campus, will promote community gardening, gardening for people with disabilities, healthy foods and the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The family-friendly fair, which is free and open to the public, will offer free recipes and samples, gardening speakers, music, and other entertainment. Attendees can learn about local sources of fresh produce, approaches to starting home gardens, and tools that make gardening easy for people of all abilities. The event is being hosted by DHSS and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Event planners are seeking sponsorships to raise funds as part of the "Planting Hope in Delaware" initiative. The sponsorship levels and benefits are:

• Seed Starter: $100. Thanks and acknowledgement in the Aug. 8 Garden Fair program.
• Herbs, Flowers and Butterflies: $500. Thanks and acknowledgement in the Aug. 8 Garden Fair program, name on Garden marker, free exhibitor's table.
• Tomatoes, Peppers and Cucumbers: $1,000. Thanks and acknowledgement in the Aug. 8 Garden Fair program, name on Garden marker, acknowledgement in press releases, free exhibitor's table.
• Garden Guardian: $2,500. Name and logo in Aug. 8 Garden Fair program, name on Garden marker, acknowledgement in press releases, name in radio public service announcement, name and logo on fair banner, and free exhibitor's table.

Garden Fair exhibitors are also being sought to display gardening and health-related information for a fee of $15. Exhibitors selling wares are welcome as Seed Starter sponsors. Tables are available indoors or outdoors.

To be a "Planting Hope in Delaware" sponsor or exhibitor, complete and return the sponsorship form available at de.gov/plantinghope.

Make checks payable to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, with "Garden Project" in the memo line. Mail the form and payment to: Delaware Department of Agriculture - Garden Project, Faith Kuehn, Plant Industries, 2320 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.

For more information on sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, contact Faith Kuehn at 698-4587 or Faith.Kuehn@delaware.gov .

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.