MATC donates plants to United Way, other agencies

Milwaukee Area Technical College’s years-long partnership with United Way of Northern Ozaukee has really taken root.

This year, MATC’s Horticulture Department donated more than 150 plants to United Way, including herbs, flowers and tomato plants that had been started from seed in the MATC greenhouses.

Eight of UWNO’s nonprofit partner agencies used the plants for everything from  sprucing up their buildings to giving recognition gifts to their volunteers to brightening a senior’s day.

Those agencies included the Adult Literacy Program, Advocates of Ozaukee, Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee, Ozaukee Family Services, Ozaukee Nonprofit Center, Portal Inc., Port Food Pantry and Saukville Food Pantry.

United Way Executive Director Barbara Bates-Nelson noted that Portal and Saukville Food Pantry are getting innovative with their plants.

The food pantry is trying to use herbs and tomato plants for a hydroponic garden for year-round use while Portal is creating a sensory garden where individuals with disabilities can participate in hands-on gardening and relax in a stimulating, enjoyable environment.

“The garden may also be used as a calming place and a gentle way to integrate the senses,” Portal Executive Director Carol Stuebe said. “Sensory gardens are especially beneficial to adults who have sensory processing issues, including autism.”  

MATC’s Mequon campus and United Way of Northern Ozaukee have partnered on community service projects since 2016.

 In the past five years, MATC has worked with many of United Way of Northern Ozaukee’s nonprofit partners to provide cooking demonstrations during the pandemic, healthy meal planning for homebound clients, access to mindfulness training videos and other resources for mental well being.

 Wilma L. Bonaparte, executive director of MATC’s Mequon campus, related the campus’ involvement with community service to Maya Angelou’s famous quote: “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”

“Our work with Portal’s sensory garden and the many agencies that benefit from United Way of Northern Ozaukee was one way we could take the mitt off at least one hand,” Bonaparte said. “In many ways, we are trying to reflect a sense of environmental justice and offering opportunities to different populations to experience beauty, support and learning across all identities.”

Visit volunteerozaukee.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities in Ozaukee County.