PITTSTON – The Greater Pittston Land Revitalization Corporation (GPLRC), a nonprofit for the City of Pittston, announced on May 3 the city was awarded an American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Water and Environment grant, focusing on Pittston’s new Community Garden Project.

Pittston’s community garden is a joint effort for the City of Pittston, the Pittston Housing Authority and northeast PA’s Garden Goombas.

The Garden Goombas is a creation of Dr. Frank Colella and Joe (Cuzzie) Stuppino who take you around northeast PA visiting and touring area gardens.

The idea behind it is to help residents in City of Pittston come together to work on a communal project while enjoying fresh, home grown produce.

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“The goal is to begin a communal project that city residents, housing authority residents, and garden-enthusiasts can all work on and benefit from,” Shannon Bonacci, Pittston’s Community Development director, said. “Growing fresh produce is something Pittston City is known for and we can’t wait to continue that.”

The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program.

The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and aims to support high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to ESG, as well as inclusion, diversity and equity.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is committed to participating and investing in organizations and programs that benefit the diverse communities served by American Water,” Carrie Williams, American Water Charitable Foundation president, said. “We take pride and are proud to further American Water’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor and strong partner in the community.”

The grant included a highly competitive process with well over 100 applicants nation-wide and a total of $1 million awarded. Out of the 100 applicants, the City of Pittston is only one of 68 approved for funding.