The Orwigsburg Area Business & Professional Association (OABPA) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of Phase 1 of its Town Square renovation project—and its fruitful harvest of red beets that are now feeding those in need. What started as a beautification effort has blossomed into a shining example of community, sustainability, and real impact.
Over the past few months, the OABPA embarked on GROW ORWIGSBURG – The Center Square Beautification Project renovating the Orwigsburg Town Square. Thanks to the generosity of many donors and volunteers, we have installed an irrigation system, upgraded lighting, and removed declining trees to make way for new landscaping.
Among the greenery, the OABPA made a novel choice: to incorporate edible plants—including a robust patch of red beets—as part of the square’s garden design. Recently, the red beets planted in the Square were harvested—and every root was donated to the Orwigsburg Food Pantry, helping to bridge the gap between community development and community care.
“Seeing the Square come together has been rewarding beyond what I imagined,” said Lila Smith, OABPA President. “It was never just about making something pretty—it was about growing something useful. These beets are physical proof that our efforts can beautify our town and nourish our neighbors.”
Overseeing the landscaping and planting is Rick Skorupski, owner of Silver Maple Nursery. He reflected: “When we added our new irrigation system and planned the plantings, adding red beets felt like an experiment—would people notice, would they thrive in our dry summer? They did both. To see a healthy harvest is deeply satisfying.”
All of the harvested beets were turned over to the Orwigsburg Food Pantry, where they will be distributed to local families and individuals in need. Edna and Jeb Hart, Directors of the Orwigsburg Food Pantry at St. John’s Church, expressed gratitude: “This donation is more than food—it’s community care. Fresh vegetables like these red beets give families access to nutritious options that might otherwise be hard to come by. We are grateful to the OABPA for thinking beyond the ordinary and contributing in such a meaningful way.”
To learn more about Grow Orwigsburg – The Center Square Beautification Project renovating the Orwigsburg Town Square, visit: https://oabpa.com/ocrc/
To learn more about the Orwigsburg Area Food Pantry visit: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064831355230
Information from a press release
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