Biography:
Reverend DeVanie Jackson is co-founder of the Brooklyn Rescue Mission, through which she works to provide healthy, locally grown produce to poor working families and the homeless in Central Brooklyn. Reverend Jackson has increased the availability of healthy, organic produce in Bed-Stuy by helping to create a thriving urban farm in a lot which was once used as a garbage dump. The farm grows food that is distributed for free at a local food pantry -- which Rev. Jackson also helped start -- to neighborhood residents who are at risk of hunger and to seniors. The urban farm has also become a community gathering space and a classroom to teach neighborhood youth about food growing and community service. The farm has gained the attention of food activists throughout the city and beyond, and is serving as inspiration for similar projects elsewhere. Rev. Jackson also helped establish a local farmers market where local food vendors sell fresh foods at affordable prices. The farmers market is intentionally based next to a large public housing complex. Through yet another program that Rev. Jackson co-established, clothing and household items are distributed to families in need.
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