Highmark and Boy Scouts partner to offer victory gardens

In an effort to fight food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyles in these challenging times, the Delmarva Council of Boy Scouts of America is partnering with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware to bring victory gardens to local families. 

Highmark has awarded the Delmarva Council Boy Scouts a $20,000 grant from Blueprints for the Community, a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation. 

“We are enthusiastic about the Boy Scouts of America Delmarva Council’s modern-day victory gardens project, as it not only helps those facing food insecurities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also tackles social determinants of health in a way that will be long-lasting and far-reaching even after this challenging time has passed,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. “We applaud their work to provide healthy, homegrown food options and helpful resources to our community.”

The partnership allows the Boy Scouts to offer gardening plots to families at Akridge Scout Reservation in Dover, along with free online workshops to help families build their own gardens at home. Both the physical plots at camp and the online workshops are supported by master gardeners, scouting volunteers and staff.