Bridget Pettis
What do you do: I am the co-founder of Project Roots AZ, a 501(C)3 nonprofit aimed to provide and educate the community with access to a community garden, farmers markets, food bank and mobile soup kitchen. The nonprofit seeks to provide and promote a healthier, natural and more sustainable way of living in urban areas where there is a need.
Share with us how you give back: After deciding to leave the WNBA as an assistant coach in 2020 to devote all my attention to Project Roots, I’ve helped grow our gardens at Spaces of Opportunity to not only be a source of food for the homeless, food bank recipients and at farmers markets, but also bring in other elements of what I believe are needed in the urban communities, such as free access to yoga, gardening classes for children, including a local school and work with Local First Arizona. Giving back is essential to living life to the fullest, and we welcome volunteers to help us in the gardens, load produce boxes for food banks or just spread the word.
Share with us why you give back: Often the most vulnerable population is left to eat sub-par food or, worse yet, go hungry. This staggering situation was why at Project Roots AZ we are driven to educate the community about self-reliance and the empowerment that comes from growing their own food. We also support those in need by feeding them from our local community gardens and mobile kitchen service. With Project Roots AZ, we want to make a real difference and provide opportunities for everyone to get the fresh foods necessary to live a healthier life
Tell us about one nonprofit you support and why: In addition to Project Roots, a nonprofit that I support is the Tiger Mountain Foundation. They are a well-rooted foundation aiming to grow food sovereignty, building communities co-ops here in the south Phoenix community. They have supported the community through mentoring programs and outreach that I have witnessed with my own eyes.
Coming up: Project Roots AZ hosts its first fundraiser on April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Spaces of Opportunity garden in Phoenix. The culinary experience will feature esteemed Phoenix chefs from Local First Arizona and foods grown and harvested by Project Roots AZ volunteers. Tickets are $100 per person and available here.