The Institute for Human Services Inc., which provides food and services to the hungry and homeless, has started a vertical garden, providing food for clients — and lessons to kids about growing crops.

"We have a limited growing space, so we use the vertical garden to grow herbs and some vegetables," said Kate Bepko, IHS spokeswoman.

There are two vertical gardens at the IHS: one in front of the building, and another near a small playground connected to the building.

Vegetables like cucumbers, lettuce, green onions, peppers and herbs are grown in small pots, then shelved along the vertical garden to conserve space.

Connie Mitchell, executive director for IHS, said the garden is a way of teaching kids who visit to grow their own food and have hope in their capabilities.

"The kids would be like, 'Oh wow, what else do you have for me to grow?' " she said.

An aquaponics rooftop garden is next on the agenda, using fish and their waste to provide nutrients to plants without the use of soil.

"We're going to use lava rocks to hold the plants down, while the water re-circulates through the fish tanks," Bepko said.

Mitchell said they might even be able to raise catfish through the aquaponics garden and use them as food.

For more information about the garden, call 447-2811. To make a food donation, call meal program manager Ana Iose at 447-2904.