On Tuesday, Feb. 14, AntFarm, the nonprofit with Brightwood roots and now based in Sandy, will celebrate four years of giving and helping through its Sandy cafe and bakery with more giving by offering up their victuals for whatever patrons can afford.

Travis Roundy, a Brightwood resident who has served in a variety of roles with
AntFarm since 2012, said that he’s enjoyed seeing the organization evolve
through the years, including the cafe ranking as one of the top rated
restaurants in Sandy, while also serving as a meeting space for a wide range
of groups.

“It’s really cool to see where we’ve gotten to now,” said Roundy, AntFarm’s
manager. “It’s creating all this new awareness.”

He added that 2017 should see even more growth for the entire organization,
including adding classes, workshops and events at the cafe, including “Lunch
and Learn” lectures led by community members, completion of more beds and
development of workshops at the organization’s Learning Garden, and
continued growth of YouthCore, which provides paid employment and skill-
building opportunities for youth with a focus on conservation, and
CommunityConnect, which offers assistance to local senior citizens with home
management tasks such as splitting and stacking wood, raking yards, cleaning
gutters and gardening.

Roundy noted that many homeowners who have enlisted the AntFarm for
projects have noted how reliable the young workers are.

“We’re going to show up on time every time and we’re going to have all the
tools,” he added.

The group has also seen success with two trailers (one at the Hoodland
Thriftway shopping center and one in Sandy) that serve as receptacles for
people to donate cans and bottles. Roundy noted that proceeds from those
have covered a portion of the organization’s insurance, and he hopes that the
level of participation continues when the deposit on cans and bottles rises to
10 cents later this year.

“If people continue to do it in the way that they have been, it’s going to be a
total game changer,” he said. “It will be a huge thing for us.”

The AntFarm Cafe and Bakery is located at 39140 Proctor Blvd. in Sandy. For
more information, visit antfarmyouthservices.com.

More AntFarm events in February:
Friday, Feb. 3 – AntFarm will celebrate First Friday with the City of Sandy
and host its Soup Night from 5-8 p.m. at AntFarm Indoors (39140 Proctor
Blvd). February Featured Artist opening display in the Cultural Arts Center.

Thursday, Feb. 9 – Featured Artist presentation for the community.

Sunday, Feb. 12 – Starting this date, AntFarm will be open seven days a
week.

Friday, Feb. 17 – AntFarm Third Friday: Tribella (A local belly dancing
troupe) will perform with a local band in the evening. The Café will be open
for drinks and pastries. Time TBA.

Saturday, Feb. 18 – Paint Night: From 5-10 p.m. come join members of the
community for chocolate, dessert, coffee, tea and a fun night of painting.
Please contact AntFarm at 503-668-9955 to sign up.

Sunday, Feb. 19 – Wy'east Live Costume Drawing 5-10 p.m. Please contact
AntFarm to sign up.

Monday, Feb. 20 – AntFarm Outdoor Adventure will be going out on a
Snowshoe/Sledding trip to White River Canyon. Stop by AntFarm Indoors or
call in to the office to sign up. Limited number of snowshoes and sleds are
available.