Day of Service at Brockton High School

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager

“An amazing initiative, Thank you!”

Thanks to a mini grant from HMFH, through the USGBC MA Chapter, Brockton High School Student, Obinna Igbokwe, was able to create and implement a community action plan within the city of Brockton and Crossroads for Kids.

The school now has bed in which crops during the spring can be cultivated and harvested in order to help the homeless population throughout the city as well as a composter. This inspired the students to re-purpose the food waste that are used in the school. 

This project was inspired by the work of the Envirothon Team and the science club of Brockton High School. This is a initiative that was recognized by the State Environmental Science competition as well as State Science Fair. The Green Apple Day of Service funds were used to plan and implement an expansion in composting in the community. This was done by instituting community gardens that use the re­purposed food waste of one of the largest high schools in America, Brockton High School. Their school produces at least 8.1 tons of food waste annually that can be re­purposed using the city's yard waste to create compost.

This project serves to inspire the conversion of grey space into green space, environmental storm water management, eutrophication, and gives an alternative food source to the homeless. With all the materials and sources planned out, the only impediment to the start of the project was the cost of building the gardens. The money sponsored by HMFH for the Green Apple Day of Service allowed for this effort to succeed. It is incredibly valuable to their community to have these gardens fueled by their own school. The impact of the project will affect their community for longer than a single day and will usher in sustainable way of life. The community is truly thankful and overjoyed by the opportunity to use the funds provided to help combat food waste and educate the public of alternative uses for it.