Each year, Classic is proud to support Together We Serve, a citywide day of service that unites volunteers and corporate partners to strengthen Baltimore’s communities. Locally, the initiative works in partnership with The 6th Branch, a veteran-led nonprofit that has been reclaiming and revitalizing vacant lots and green spaces for more than a decade. Our role is to provide lunches for the volunteers, a simple but meaningful way to keep them fueled and to show appreciation for the hard work they give to the city.
 
This year’s project took place at the Oliver Community Farm, a green space in East Baltimore that The 6th Branch has nurtured into a hub for both food production and community connection. In just one day, 126 volunteers transformed the site by planting 20 native trees, creating pollinator beds, filling 100 dirt lockers, and adding more than 2,500 square feet of native shrubs and flowers. They also removed 3,500 square feet of impervious surface, clearing the way for healthier soil and planting areas. Together, the group contributed more than 500 hours of service!
 
The impact of that effort will be felt for years to come. The new trees and shrubs are expected to capture more than 15,000 gallons of stormwater, reducing flooding and erosion in the neighborhood, while pollinator plantings will support biodiversity and increase the farm’s productivity. Classic is honored to play a part in this ongoing work, ensuring that those who work so hard are nourished as they create lasting change for Baltimore’s communities.