MENASHA — A fire that destroyed a shed in December at the Community Garden Partnership's site on the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley campus has sparked a community effort to rebuild the structure.

The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, which typically builds homes for low-income families, is recruiting new volunteers to assist with the project on campus. The university is providing classroom space for training and workshop space for the shed's construction.

Organizers are asking community members to help supply building materials and replace ruined gardening tools.

Urban garden coordinator Susan Richardson, who oversees six public gardening sites in the Fox Valley area, said it's fitting that several agencies are driving the March 23-April 13 project because the fire destroyed equipment from many organizations.

"Garden spaces are natural spaces for community building," Richardson said. "We really consider (the rebuild) a gift to this community."

Richardson said Menasha police told her it's likely someone intentionally set the fire five days after Christmas, although officers haven't charged anyone with the crime.

"Somebody pried the shed open and got inside," Richardson said she was told. "There were no flammables inside, so they had to bring their own. A passer-by happened to notice flames and called the fire department."

Habitat executive director John Weyenberg said Habitat has assisted other nonprofit organizations with construction projects in recent years, including Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs Inc. and Community Outreach Temporary Services (COTS) Inc.