ST. LOUIS – A once-thriving area in north St. Louis is about to see a rebirth just in time for the Easter holiday weekend.

On Wednesday, Spire employees teamed up with a local nonprofit to transform a neglected lot into a flourishing one.

About 20 employees traded their office desks for dirt and shovels as part of the company’s annual “day for good” initiative.

“We’re getting ready for seeds,” said Theresa Payne, coordinator of Gas Supply and Operations. “We are going to help them plant peach trees, Cherry bushes and put in a new gazebo, hopefully raised gardens, so they can plant vegetables and people in the neighborhood will take care of it.”

The team partnered with Seed St. Louis to transform the garden into a thriving green space.

“We empower people and communities to grow food,” said Krista Chalise, director of Development for Seed St. Louis. 

Equipped with two skid steers and two dump trucks, the team set out to establish the foundation for a sustainable community garden.

The revitalized garden will serve as a fresh food resource and education space for local residents

Barbara Manzara lives in the neighborhood and says the garden building project can feed families and teach kids how to grow their own food.

“This park is a labor of love for the neighbors,” Manzara said. “It’s Jewell of Old North St. Louis, and we care for it and love it so it is really exciting to see Spire come out and help us keep it going for the next generation.”

Spire says today’s work is just the beginning—and that more community-based volunteer efforts are in the works.