Eight Collaborative Initiatives
Collaboration is essential not only to the current work of Food 4 Thought (F4T), but also to sustain its work and its impact on our community. No one organization or agency in Meadville and Crawford County has the financial resources nor the human experience and expertise, creativity and commitment fundamental to nurturing and sustaining a thriving community-- a community where residents’ essential needs are met and aspirations emerge. Through collaboration, eight initiatives emerged, each addressing a different perceived need.
Scott Sjolander - Chair
Pete Gifford - Treasurer
Barb Newcamp Secretary
Walkable Meadville first and foremost encourages safe and accessible pathways within and through the community. These pathways connecting our gardens and parks are intended to be accessible, interesting, educational and fun.
Marked by garden stones the Children’s Garden participants created, they provide opportunities for learning to notice more and for physical exercise. From this primary intent, Walkable Meadville launched our community’s annual spring Walk-A-Thons. Walk-A-Thon’25 mounted 16 walking teams that logged more than 16,000 miles and raised more than $16,000 to help fund the Summer Parks ’25 Shadybrook Program.
Contact: Jan Hyatt or Tamara Clark
Teacher Alliesare professional educators who gather regularly with the intention of working together to generate mindfulness, coping skills, mutual appreciation, and support.
Contact: Miles O'Shea
Grow Meadville: Community Gardens and City Gardens are small plots around the city sponsored by individuals, groups or businesses who plant and maintain the plot during the growing season. The gardens are available to anyone walking by to pick fresh vegetables for immediate consumption or pluck herbs for their dinner menu. The City Gardens encourage people to experience and enjoy the savory tastes of summer. Current City Gardens include the plots on Chancery Lane, Meadville Medical Center, Unitarian Universalist Church, Episcopal Church, and Parkside Psychological.
Contact: Barb Newcamp
The Children's Garden on South Main Street provides garden beds for growing and learning on Saturday mornings in May through September.
Participants of all ages gather to plant, weed, water, harvest, learn about friendly insects and create garden art.
In September 2024 , master builders Mike Marley, George Stabile, and Doug Lodge led a host of stewards to complete a timber framed garden learning pavilion. This work of art is a structure promising to last a century, and the lease granted by the lot owner Linn Properties provides assurance of its public access.
Contact: Mike Marley or Julie Zimmerman
The Summer Parks Program at Shadybrook Park is where the magic of childhood is alive and well in Meadville, PA, as evidenced any given weekday at Shadybrook Park during the eight weeks that span mid-June - early August. Each day, around 50 children choose to spend hours at Shadybrook, immersed in nature, away from technological devices, and surrounded by creative choices. Within the safety limits of the park and the structure of a routine that supports long periods of free play, and surrounded by caring role models, children can choose where, with what materials, with whom, and how long to play. Walk through the park, and you will hear joyful laughter, quiet humming, earnest conversations, and contented sighs coming from naturally formed clusters of children splashing in the creek, inventing song and dance, watercolor painting, or relaxing under shade trees. These children are in the state of flow. This is where the magic happens, building resilience, self-confidence, a connection to nature, a sense of belonging, and the power to shape one’s own future.
Contact: Roseann Sommers and Mark McGinty
Reading Allies is a collaborative program whose mission is to increase literacy among adults, children and families through a team effort. Currently, in Meadville, this group consists of Creating Landscapes Food 4 Thought and FCCA: Family and Community Christian Association.
Reading Allies finished their second year working with Crawford Central SD students at First District, Second District, Neason Hill, West End and Cochranton elementary schools. Dr Ann Noonen, Director of Ed Tech Integration & Community Outreach at Crawford Central, coordinates the program between Reading Allies and the school district. She reported teachers of all elementary schools have noticed improvement in the reading skills of the students with whom the Allies have worked.
In Titusville, retired teachers have taken on the role of Reading Allies. They work with middle school students under the direction of Miles O’Shea, Middle School Principal.
For the 2025-26 school year, Allies will work with students to improve accuracy, fluency and comprehension. Allies are continuing to look for ways to engage adults and families in the Reading Allies Program.
Contact: Wally Mason or Jackie Robison
The Good to Go 5-2-1-0 Program is a vital part of F4T’s ongoing mission to improve the overall health and well-being of families and children in our community. This evidence-based initiative promotes four simple daily goals that can have a lasting impact on physical and mental health:
5 – Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day
2 – Limit screen time to two hours or less
1 – Get one hour or more of physical activity (preferably outside)
0 – Avoid sugary drinks and choose water instead
This initiative is designed to empower families with clear, actionable steps toward healthier living. It is promoted in partnership with local health professionals, educators, and community organizations.
Contact: Wally Mason or Miles O'Shea
Adult Learning Force regularly offers members of the community numerous five to ten week courses in the arts and sciences. Classes meet once or twice each week for ninety-minute sessions throughout the academic year and over the summer—an ongoing opportunity to connect with the best of liberal arts learning.
Originally formed as an aspect of the Creating Landscapes Enrichment Program for Middle and High School students at Allegheny College, the Program needed to leave Campus during the COVID college shut down. They were then welcomed under the F4T fiscal umbrella.
Contact: Donna Baker and Jan Hyatt