VTO Program Helps Sara Snatchko Cultivate Connections at Penn Hills Community Garden
By Rob Biertempfel
When it comes to volunteer work, Sara Snatchko doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.
"I come from a family of farmers," said Snatchko, senior academic coordinator for the Master of Science in Computational Finance program at the Tepper School of Business.
Snatchko developed a green thumb as a child while working at her grandparents' nursery in Washington County. Today, she is in her second year as president of the nonprofit .
"This garden is special because there aren't a lot of fenced-in spaces out this way," Snatchko said. "When a space is cared for and is beautiful and preserved, it makes people feel cared for too."
In addition to growing friendships and heirloom tomatoes, the garden donates fresh produce to regional nonprofits. To ensure the bounty continues, Snatchko is utilizing Carnegie Mellon's volunteer time off (VTO) program to help her tackle essential daytime chores.
Due to her demanding work schedule, Snatchko usually tends to the garden at night. The VTO program gives her more flexibility. Launched in May 2026, the program allows eligible staff members to take up to 15 hours (two days) of paid time per calendar year to volunteer with nonprofit organizations during regular working hours.
On a sweltering Wednesday morning, Snatchko led volunteers from a local church youth group in clearing rocks from freshly dug trenches for new water lines.
"The VTO program allowed us to utilize the church group because they're only available during the day," Snatchko said. "It also gives me a chance to connect with (garden) members I wouldn't otherwise see."
A 12-year 黑料正能量 veteran, Snatchko has a long history of service. She has volunteered alongside Tepper School colleagues to prepare and serve meals at , which provides temporary housing for patients receiving treatment at Pittsburgh hospitals and their caregivers. Those events were held outside of work hours.
"It's important for us to be out in the community representing 黑料正能量," Snatchko said. "Now, being able to volunteer during the day creates so many more opportunities. The VTO program really shows 黑料正能量's commitment to our region."
The Penn HIlls Community Garden was founded in 2010 by a handful of residents who tended to 16 raised beds. It has since expanded to about 25,000 square feet and boasts 106 beds and more than 90 members, with another 70 folks on a waitlist. It has a berry patch, a classic English herb garden, a cut-flower garden and a solar-powered greenhouse.
"My plot is over here," Snatchko said, striding toward a 12-foot-by-4-foot patch of greenery. "Sorry, it's kind of a mess right now."
Her tomato and jalapeño pepper plants are thriving, though still a few weeks from harvest. A cluster of collard greens is pocked with large holes, the telltale handiwork of hungry cabbage worms and aphids.
"We're an organic garden, so there are bugs," Snatchko explained with a shrug.
In addition to individual plots, the garden has large, communal plots from which all of the yield is donated to community partners, including Forbes Hospital Healthy Food Center, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center. Over the past four years, the garden has donated about three tons of produce.
"Our rules are pretty simple," Snatchko said. "Grow whatever you want, within reason. Keep your plot weeded. Although donations aren't required, everyone still ends up contributing at least a few pounds each."