A Kenosha freshman turned a childhood of volunteering into six handcrafted garden beds that will feed families through the Shalom Center — and earned his Eagle Scout rank in the process.
Easton Stiner, a Tremper High School freshman and member of Troop 1865, completed his Eagle Scout Service Project by building and donating six raised garden beds to the Shalom Center, Kenosha County’s only homeless shelter and largest food pantry.
The 4-foot by 8-foot moveable beds will become the centerpiece of the Shalom Center’s Community Garden, scheduled to open next spring. Once planted, the garden will supply fresh vegetables directly to the organization’s Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry.
Stiner’s connection to the Shalom Center runs deeper than most. He began volunteering there alongside his grandmother as a young child, developing an appreciation for the organization’s work long before earning his first Scout rank.
“I have gotten to know the staff and the operations of this shelter and pantry,” Stiner said. “I like helping there because I see firsthand the amount of good the Shalom Center does for our community.”
The project required Stiner to fundraise for all materials, coordinate construction with fellow Scouts and community volunteers off-site, and oversee safety and workmanship during the build. The team then transported the completed beds to the Shalom Center using the organization’s box truck.
Executive Director Esther Roberts said the Community Garden will serve multiple purposes beyond fresh produce — promoting wellness among those served and building cohesion among staff and volunteers.
“We are exceptionally grateful for the hard work and leadership of Easton,” Roberts said. “The garden beds are well-crafted and will be an integral feature of the Community Garden.”
When the garden space is complete, Shalom Center staff and volunteers will plant and maintain the beds through each growing season.
About the Shalom Center
Shalom Center is a 501(c)3 in Kenosha County serving as the only homeless shelter, the largest food pantry, and the longest-running nightly meal program. Shalom Center is a community resource that provides housing, food, guidance, and support to individuals and families in need across our community. Our mission is simple: serve the community through food, shelter, and supportive ways. We believe that this mission will help realize a greater vision: self-sufficiency by maximizing the potential of the people we serve.
