Phoenixville, PA May 2025—A dynamic new partnership between three Phoenixville-based nonprofit organizations—Trellis for Tomorrow, Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS), and Open Hearth, Inc.—has resulted in the launch of a new Trellis for Tomorrow Food for All garden. Located at Open Hearth’s building on 701 S. Main Street, the Open Hearth–PACS (OHPACS) Garden is the newest addition to Trellis for Tomorrow’s growing network of community-centered gardens and is poised to play a vital role in strengthening local food security.
Mary Fuller, PACS President, said: “At PACS, we work hard to create a respectful and dignified food shopping experience for all of our neighbors who need us. Having fresh produce is a major piece of that goal. Our shoppers are so happy and relieved when they see PACS can offer healthy and fresh options. So, it was a no-brainer for PACS when we were approached by Trellis for Tomorrow and Open Hearth about partnering in a Food for All garden. We can’t express our appreciation enough to Trellis for their expertise and to Open Hearth for the garden space. What a shining example of three agencies coming together for the good of the community!”
The three-way nonprofit partnership is rooted in shared values and a joint commitment to community resilience. In 2022, Trellis secured grant funding from the USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to bolster growing spaces in Phoenixville. In 2024, Open Hearth offered land at their Phoenixville location. Recognizing the importance of sustainability and community ownership, Open Hearth invited PACS to join as a partner to provide volunteers and help ensure long-term support.
Kelly Raggazino, CEO at Open Hearth, Inc. said “Open Hearth has always sought to maximize the community benefit of the generous gift we received—an office building on a one-acre lot in Phoenixville. Since 2021, we’ve envisioned hosting a community garden on the property, but our primary focus has remained on our mission: helping people secure housing, a means of transportation, and achieve financial stability. When Trellis approached us with both the idea and funding for the garden, I immediately connected with Mary at PACS and asked her to partner on this project. The garden became a reality because all of us were willing to come together and make it happen.”
Together, the three organizations transformed the vision into reality. In early 2025, the garden officially joined Trellis’ regional network of more than 30 gardens across southeastern Pennsylvania. Part of Trellis’ innovative Food for All program, these gardens are cultivated by community volunteers, supported by Trellis’ expert educators, and committed to donating at least 50% of their harvest to local food assistance programs. In the case of the Open Hearth–PACS Garden, 100% of the food grown will directly support PACS’ food distribution efforts—ensuring fresh, organic produce reaches families across Phoenixville. Trellis, Open Hearth, Inc., and PACS will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the garden on June 24th at 5 PM. All are welcome to join.
Trellis for Tomorrow, now in its 22nd year, delivers transformative programming that combines youth development, food justice, and environmental sustainability. Since its founding, Trellis has donated more than 250,000 pounds of organic produce—helping to provide over 1 million servings to families in need. Its gardens serve as living classrooms, offering experiential learning opportunities that empower youth and community members to lead healthy, sustainable lives and build resilient, connected communities.
PACS is a leading resource for addressing food insecurity in the greater Phoenixville area. The organization strives to eliminate the stigma of food assistance by creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where every guest feels respected and supported. By providing healthy, nourishing food options, PACS helps individuals and families improve their overall well-being. Currently, PACS has an average of 220 sign-ins a day to shop their market and provides full grocery orders to approximately 312 families each month. Anyone interested in joining PACS volunteers in the OHPACS garden should contact Diane Szamborski at diane.s@pacsphx.org.
Open Hearth, Inc., a leader in resource coordination and community building efforts, provides innovative programs to support and empower people to end the cycle of homelessness, acquire affordable housing, a means of transportation, workforce opportunities, and achieve financial stability. Now in its 34th year, Open Hearth served over 1,000 unduplicated households from Chester County and Western Montgomery County in 2024 alone.
This new garden marks a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen food access and community connections in Phoenixville—and sets the stage for continued collaboration among mission-aligned organizations dedicated to a healthier community and shared future.
Jennifer Anderson, Executive Director of Trellis for Tomorrow said, “Trellis for Tomorrow’s ability to advance food security and community sustainability is wholly dependent on partners who are willing to provide land, volunteer capacity, and support for our youth. Phoenixville is a shining example of excellence in nonprofit partnership and coordination. We could not be more proud of being a part of this community and to be able to work closely in collaboration with two long standing and highly respected organizations such as PACS and Open Hearth. This partnership demonstrates what’s possible through mutual respect and appreciation and when the end goal is prioritized.”
To find out more, please visit www.trellis4tomorrow.org.
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