Growing Impact at the Salvation Army Hospitality House Shelter

What started as a simple annual garden refresh quickly turned into something more meaningful. This year’s Volunteer Challenge project at the Salvation Army Allentown Corps Hospitality House Emergency Shelter focused on renewal, productivity, and long term impact, both above and below the soil.

Team Isett returned to a space originally designed and built by Isett more than a decade ago, ready to breathe new life into a garden that serves residents of the emergency shelter year round. As part of the 2026 Volunteer Challenge projects, the mission was straightforward: clean it up, simplify it, and make it work better for the people who use it every day.

One of the biggest upgrades this year was the installation of a new vertical trellis system. Built using durable T posts and welded wire, the trellis allows cucumbers and tomatoes to grow vertically, improving air circulation, increasing yields, and keeping plants healthier throughout the season. Two honeysuckle vines that were planted during last year’s effort were retrained with the help of new steel trellises that will allow them to grow up into the wooden pergola shading the center courtyard area. The stone pavers in the courtyard were also individually removed and leveled to improve a persistent low spot.

This approach will also make the garden easier to maintain, while creating a more organized and productive growing space. The trellis quickly became the visual centerpiece of the garden and a symbol of what small, thoughtful improvements can accomplish.

Beyond the trellis, volunteers tackled a full garden cleanup. Overgrown plants, weeds, debris, and litter were removed to give the space a clean slate. Soil was refreshed, pathways were tidied, and beds were replanted with a balanced mix of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native perennials. New plantings included tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and cilantro. Color was added with marigolds, petunias, and impatiens, helping frame the beds and create a brighter, more welcoming environment. Native and low maintenance plant selections were also used to support pollinators and reduce long term upkeep.

The Volunteer Challenge is always about more than just the physical work. It is about collaboration, shared purpose, and giving back to the communities and clients we serve. Isett’s volunteers for the 2026 Volunteer Challenge included: Andrea Martin; Gina Bongiovanni; Holly Goeckler; Teresa Rivera; Greg Decker; Brandon Trate; Melissa Hoats; Ashley Wyandt; and Mike Keller.