Memphis with a Purpose

Recently, board members from the non-profit organization Neighbors with a Purpose took a trip to Memphis, Tennessee.

Their mission was to meet local leaders and youth to identify a neighborhood project that would empower the younger generations, and build upon their community’s future. A project with a purpose. They reached out to the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services, toured many areas of Memphis, met with schools, and community centers. Most importantly, they met with bright youth leaders from every district in Memphis. In those meetings, these high school leaders told the board of directors what would make their lives and the health of their community better for all. What stood out was a wish for more safe spaces to grow, learn, and & create. They wanted time in nature, opportunities to develop new skills, and a sense of connection with others. To establish their roots and their futures! A pressing need that emerged was access to fresh, healthy food.

Those discoveries have now sown the seeds for a community garden in the historic neighborhood of Orange Mound in Memphis.

Memphis is home to many vibrant neighborhoods but Orange Mound (est. 1890) stands out for its rich history. The first neighborhood in the United States that was built by and for African-Americans. It is a beacon of self-determination and pride. However, like many cities and neighborhoods, it faces modern challenges from economic hardships, crime, and food insecurity. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the city of Memphis has the most people living in a food desert: an area where low income residents have little or no access to supermarkets and fresh food. Orange Mound is a food desert. Which makes it a perfect location for a garden, designed to engage and uplift young leaders, while addressing the health of a community in need of fresh food and ingredients.

The garden will be planned, created, grown, harvested, shared, and prepared side by side with Memphis youth throughout every stage. And with Orange Mound’s history, there are adults in this neighborhood who know how to preserve and prepare this fresh food. Young leaders will gain a sense of ownership over their neighborhood and find tangible ways to make a difference in a place with deep historical roots. It will symbolize both preservation and progress honoring the legacy of Orange Mound’s founders, while equipping the next generation with the tools to shape their own future.

Please follow us, support us, and join us in this Memphis with a Purpose project, driven by the youth of Memphis, nourished by the community, and grounded in the belief that change begins with a single seed