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Justice and Peace

JPIC in Action

Community Gardens

Holy Name Province ministries are committed to efforts to care for the earth, and "tend" God's creation. Some literally have taken a hoe to the soil, creating Community Gardens, in answer to this call. Learn more about these efforts in the list below.

To add to the list, contact Fran Eskin-Royer in Holy Name Province's Office for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

BR. JERRY'S GARDEN

St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Camden, N.J.
Br. Jerry's Community Garden is in its third year and "blossomed" to 40 plots in the 2011 season. The garden allows 32 neighborhood families to raise their own vegetables and flowers in the heart of Camden. As a supplemental source of nutrition, the community garden gives members a cheap and organic alternative to grocery shopping. In addition to individual plots, it hosts a communal flower garden and two gardens designated for donation to the poor. The parish has plans to expand the garden further as the City of Camden has approved use of an adjoining lot and they are in the process of clearing it.
Contact: Kristen Zielinski-Nalen

GARDENING AND GROUNDS MINISTRY

St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Greenville, S.C.
This group is composed of volunteers who help keep the church, school and convent grounds pleasant, verdant, and environmentally responsible. The group invites anyone who likes to garden or would like to learn gardening to join. Several master gardeners are part of the group and are able to offer guidance about the different chores involved in gardening. The grounds provide a wide variety of opportunities for the sharing of skills, enthusiasm, and sweat. Several families also have committed to be caretakers of specific areas of the grounds.   
 
Additionally the group has created a small (30x60 feet) vegetable garden that supplements what the parish food pantry gives out to people in need. Vegetables also are shared with parishioners experiencing tight times.  Soil amendments come from yard waste that Greenville County collects and grinds up; the Greater Greenville Sanitation Commission has been a great partner in the effort.  Future plans for the garden include more involvement from the students from the parish school. The group hopes to teach the children how to grow food, how much labor it takes to produce food, and healthier eating habits. 
Contact:  Suzanne Nelson 

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION'S COMMUNITY GARDEN

Immaculate Conception Parish
Durham, N.C.
In 2011, Immaculate Conception partnered with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and several neighborhood groups to develop a community garden two blocks from the church. In March, parishioners built 20 raised beds and, a month later, began harvesting organic produce. Through September, over 350 pounds of lettuce, swiss chard, onions, radishes, sweet potatoes, and carrots were distributed to those in need. The garden also serves as a source of community-building through the sharing of meals, planting workshops, yoga classes, cooking and nutrition lessons, and a children’s camp. The project is an important component of the parish’s mission to address food insecurity in Durham.
Contact: Jeannette Gulledge

MONTHLY GARDENERS' MEETINGS HOSTED BY THE CAMDEN CHILDREN'S GARDEN

St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Camden, N.J.
St. Anthony of Padua’s Community Garden (Br. Jerry’s Garden) initially was developed with help from the Camden Children's Garden. The relationship continues with monthly meetings of all the Camden community gardens to share news and best practices, and to receive updates on Camden Children’s Garden events. Meetings also provide a monthly opportunity to pick up new garden plants. Group members pay a nominal fee to be a part of this network.
Contact: Kristen Zielinski-Nalen

COMMUNITY GARDEN

St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Raleigh, N.C.
The group of both new and experienced gardeners is working to grow organic vegetables on the parish grounds that are then donated to the hungry.
Contact: Pat or Paul Kelly
 

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