Bella BeSerra wants to make sure residents in the Dash Point area of Federal Way have access to fresh produce.

The Federal Way Public Academy sophomore decided to start a community garden at Lifeway Church, 5015 SW Dash Point Road, for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

The Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through Take Action projects that have a sustainable impact in their communities and beyond, according to the Girl Scouts webpage.

“There’s certain requirements for the project – something that impacts your community and has a global aspect, a local solution to a global problem and has to be permanent and lasting,” BeSerra said.

Earlier this year, BeSerra started thinking about projects that would meet a need in the community.

“We don’t have community gardens around the Dash Point area,” she said, adding that she likes gardening.

BeSerra connected with Lifeway Church through a family friend. The church agreed to let BeSerra put the garden on its property. She plans to start with four garden beds on a 100-foot-by-30-foot space.

While BeSerra hasn’t figured out exactly how to distribute the produce grown in garden, it will be given to those in need.

She hopes to build the garden beds in February and is asking the community to help her with the project. Anyone is welcome to help, she said.

“I’m hoping to do a big concerted effort to start building,” she said.

She also needs volunteers to help with planting, harvesting and upkeep.

“I’m hoping they will donate time each month to help with weeding and taking care of things,” she said. “I think that is important, having people work together on something and seeing the fruits of their efforts.”

Community members can also donate supplies. Per the parameters of the project, BeSerra can’t ask for money but can hosts fundraisers, which she might do in future.

BeSerra joined Girl Scouts as a Daisy when she was in kindergarten and is a part of Troop 41228.

For more information or to help BeSerra with her project, visit her Facebook page at facebook.com/bella.beserra.35 or email her at zita5069@gmail.com.