BEACON— There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Victory Garden. The harvest from the garden will have fresh vegetables for the local soup kitchens. Residents of Elant at Fishkill and members of the Elderact Club will take care of the garden. Vegetables from the garden will also be used in seasonal soups to serve the residents.

“We wanted to do this as a tribute to our residents and families,” said George Michaels, administrator of Elant at Fishkill.

The Victory Garden is reminiscent of the victory gardens that were planted during World War I and World War II. The gardens were planted to help take pressure off of the public food supply.

“It will be a community that feels the rewards of this garden,” remarked Michaels.

There were songs sung by residents and staff, such as “This Land is Your Land” and “The Garden Song.”

“I think it’s great,” said Elant volunteer Beatrice Donofrio. Donofrio’s son is a resident of Elant and the president of the Elderact Club in Fishkill.

“Some of them used to have their own gardens. Now this gives them a chance to do something they did in the past,” stated Donofrio.

Michaels said the residents look forward to “replanting” and “regrowing” every year.