After the Katrina Hurricane destroyed New Orleans’ Ninth Ward back in 2005, former police officer David Young decided to make something to help his community and enable free food for everyone.
Numerous homes were destroyed, businesses had to be shut down, and many people lost their lives. 15 years later, the community is still struggling to rebuild.
Young came up with the idea to use abandoned garden lots to make community gardens and help the poor fight off hunger and also ensure the local bees don’t go endangered.
The Importance of Bees for Our Ecosystem
Did you know that honey bees pollinate 1/3 of the food supply in the world?
Without them, a major percent of the population will starve. Unfortunately, billions of bees are killed on a yearly basis, despite their significance.
When David Young discovered that swarms of bees were plaguing their community, he realized he had to act before homeowners took matters into their own hands. Even though they may’ve been a problem at the time, they’re of major importance for the ecosystem.
Young first visited New Orleans during a humanitarian mission in 2009. He was surprised by the small progress in the low income neighborhoods since the Hurricane Katrina, so he wanted to make a difference.
Capstone Gardens: The Hope of New Orleans’s Ninth Ward
He founded the Capstone Gardens- he built it on 30 abandoned parcels throughout the lower Ninth Ward.
Every garden grows veggies, fruits, and herbs which are all free-of-charge for the entire community. In case of a bee infestation, the citizens of New Orleans can call the Capstone Gardens.
The volunteers will properly remove the bees and place them at one of the plots. The honey they produce is sold locally and the money is used for the ongoing rebuilding of the lower Ninth Ward.
There is also a herd of goats who’s found a home in the garden-they enjoy eating the overgrown bushes whereas dozens of chickens lay eggs which the community uses as free food.
Prior to Capstone Gardens, many families here were struggling to survive. There was only one food bank and it wasn’t enough for everyone.
The residents of the Ninth Ward call Young the ‘Santa Claus of Food’, not just because of his long white beard, but because he’s brought so much joy and hope in a community that felt so lonely after the Katrina Hurricane.
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