LIBERTY –– The non-profit A Single Bite welcomed 40 NYSEG employees as volunteers to Sprouting Dreams Farm in Liberty last Wednesday. The group helped erect a new greenhouse that will house sustainably and organically grown produce.

The project will significantly improve the physical location and capacity of Sprouting Dreams Farms, a small, independently-owned farm run by partners Eugene Thalmann and LeeAnna Maniace. Some of the greens, vegetables and sprouts grown there are donated to the Sullivan County nonprofit, A Single Bite, helping to assure that local families receive fresh and nutritionally beneficial food.

“The Liberty area is home to many NYSEG employees, and we are proud to give back to the community through this volunteer effort,” said John Schenck, NYSEG Manager of Regional Operations, Liberty division. “We recognize the difficulties our customers and communities are facing, and it’s important for us to do our part in making a difference. Our teams truly enjoy volunteering, especially when it means getting their hands dirty for a great cause.”

Founded by Foster Supply Hospitality, A Single Bite is a non-profit that feeds and educates Sullivan County children and their families with real, healthy food through a free, community Family Meal Program and a school-based Education Program.

“A Single Bite is grateful to NYSEG and its energetic volunteers for this partnership. With the challenges children and their families face in securing enough healthy food, partnerships like NYSEG are indispensable. This support helps provide nutritious meals to some of our community’s most vulnerable,” said Audrey Garro, Executive Director of A Single Bite.

NYSEG employees also volunteered on a weekly basis for 11 weeks, from March to May, sending volunteers to assist with A Single Bite’s Family Meal Program. Every week for about an hour - totaling 22 hours of volunteerism - NYSEG employees delivered prepared meals to

Liberty School District families in need.

“Our employees are always at the ready to engage in projects like this that not only support local small businesses, but also benefit area charities,” said Aziz Uthman, NYSEG Program Manager for Government and Community Relations. “The greenhouse project is going to be so rewarding for us and we can’t wait to see the finished product and all the wonderful benefits it provides to the community here.”

To learn more about A Single Bite, visit asinglebite.org or call 845-482-1030.