At Cresswood, we are proud to be an American Made Industrial shredder designer and manufacturer as well as a provider of used machine shredders and grinders to help our customers achieve their zero-waste initiatives. We are committed to quality and to giving back to our community. Through Cresswood Cares, our Cresswood team is able to live out our core values and serve our community. In August, we were honored to sponsor the DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) Apple Scramble. The event was hosted by Jonamac Orchard. Those who attended the event were able to preview the beautiful grounds and enjoy all that the orchard has to offer just 2 weeks before they open for the season.
DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) empowers people to access healthy and sustainably grown foods and addresses the root causes of hunger. They manage over 15 acres of growing space, and since 2012 they have produced over 200,000 pounds of food for local food pantries, daycare centers, schools, community meal locations, senior citizen centers, and housing units, along with the Meals on Wheels program.
DCCG has gardens all over the county, with over 200 raised beds as well as large acreages. The organization has created working partnerships with neighborhoods, schools, non-profit organizations, municipalities, County government, park districts, forest preserve districts, businesses, hospitals, family health centers, foundations, and churches. DCCG reaches hundreds in the County through school and community programs, food donated, educational programs, seed saving and seed swapping events, local flavors dinners, and more. DCCG is a unique organization that brings together people who care about the environment, health and nutrition, education, economic development, and building stronger sustainable communities together in the gardens. DCCG is providing an alternative to the usual way of addressing hunger with emergency relief, instead, DCCG is about providing access so everyone can be in control of their own food and reach a sustainable way to healthy food for themselves and their families.
As part of its commitment to its communities, DCCG also puts on events throughout the year. One of those events, the Apple Scramble, happened this month and was held at Jonamac Orchard, and Cresswood was honored to be one of their sponsors. This fundraiser event involved an Adults-only scavenger hunt, a raffle, the Dig for the Golden Apple event, an Apple Scramble, delicious food provided by Hicks BBQ, and scrumptious apple cider donuts and beverages from Jonamac’s Cider House. So much fun was had by all and for a great cause!
Three years ago, Cresswood, an American made industrial shredder and grinder company in Cortland, IL, started to participate with DCCG by starting our own community garden here on the property. We started with 6 raised beds, growing a variety of beans, peppers, and tomatoes. Today, we have doubled that growing space to 12 raised beds, and 100% of the produce being grown is donated to DCCG for distribution locally. This spring we plan to grow and donate asparagus, rhubarb, sugar peas, cucumbers, jalapenos, sweet bell peppers, green and yellow beans, spinach & greens, and carrots. And so far this year we have donated over 80 lbs. of fresh organic produce to DCCG from the Cresswood community garden.
Personally, our President, Ryan Butzman, finds spending the early mornings in the garden watering, weeding, and gathering produce an amazing experience. This activity is a wonderful way for me to connect in a tangible way with the fact that Cresswood exists to serve and follow a higher purpose than just being a successful business. I truly believe Cresswood exists here in Cortland to serve God’s purposes and be a force for positive change here in the communities where we live and work. We have been incredibly blessed in many ways as a business, and we believe it is our responsibility as good stewards of God’s resources to give back to those in greatest need.
This alignment between our core values and beliefs with the mission of DCCG has led to a perfect partnership. We are proud to contribute to support them, by donating fresh produce as well as sponsoring their annual adult Easter Egg Hunt, and this year their Apple Scramble. The Jonamac Orchard is located at 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL 60150. Check them out this season! You won’t be disappointed.
Cresswood Shredding Machinery is committed to recycling for a better world and continuous improvement. This means continuing to build and grow our team to ensure success for our customers as well as giving back to our community. If you are looking for American made industrial grinders and shredders built to last or you are looking to work for a family-owned business that lives out its core values, contact us today.
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