Photo submitted to Times Observer Volunteers from the Allegheny Community Greenhouse presented $2,000 to the Warren State Hospital Indigent Fund — and a total of $4,000 to other community organizations — following the 2021 season. Pictured (from left) are Warren State Hospital CEO Charlotte Uber, Warren State Hospital Volunteer Resources Director Samantha Whitaker, Allegheny Community Greenhouse managers Dave Martin and Ruch Morrison, and volunteer Lee Shield.

Green thumbs to greenbacks.

For its first 10 years, the Allegheny Community Greenhouse was able to fund itself and make a donation to the Warren State Hospital Indigent Fund.

In 2021, the volunteers had a better year.

The mission for the Allegheny Community Greenhouse is to provide an educational learning center, a therapeutic activity for people and an indoor classroom for people of all ages. “We’re always looking for more help,” Treasurer Dave Martin said.

The greenhouse volunteers sold the fruits of their labors — “annuals, perennials, vegetables, ferns, hanging baskets, herbs, and houseplants,” according to Martin — every weekend from the end of April through the end of May.

With a larger crop and more sales than ever before, the group — organized through the Allegheny Community Center– had to think about a welcome new problem. What would the non-profit do with a bunch of extra money?

In addition to contributing $2,000 to the Warren State Hospital Indigent Fund, the greenhouse program this year donated $1,000 to the Kiwanis Club of Warren, $1,000 to the Allegheny Community Center, $1,000 to the Russell United Methodist Church food pantry and community fund, and $1,000 to the Chief Cornplanter Council BSA.