Six churches have came together to begin planting a ‘Victory Garden’ to help support local food banks for those in need within the community.
Dozens of members from the Anglican Parish of the Transfiguration in Dresden, Thamesville, Ridgetown, Highgate, Florence and the Chapel of Ease and Howard Trinity participated in the ‘Victory Over Hunger’ initiative.
Members showed support by planting fresh produce at 11758 Highway 21 between Dresden and Thamesville Saturday morning (May 24th).
‘Victory Garden’ organizer and Reverend John Maroney said it’s quite different from typical planting. “This is fantastic. This is a unique garden in that it’s a no-till and everything is going to be on raised hay bales. It’s completely organic and just a really interesting, new thing”.
Maroney said they thought about planting regularly but it would be too much hassle since the pasture hasn’t been planted in for over 40 years. Planting on raised hay bales is a practise used commonly in California.
Maroney also said food banks can be limited in options for organic produce. “If you go to the food bank they don’t have a lot of choices in fresh produce,” he said. “ Everything is canned and boxed so this is our way of giving some fresh produce. It’s just a good thing to do for the people”.
Maroney said that it’s important to make an effort to practise what the gospel teaches through actions of charity and devotion. “It’s an exciting time see in the church there is a difference between just reading the gospel and doing the gospel. This is going beyond our four walls. It’s not a matter of being Anglican, it’s a matter of being human. It’s someone in need and we’re addressing that hunger”.
“From the bottom of our hearts,” Maroney said “we hope to help provide for those in the community that are struggling”.
Here’s some photos from the first day of planting at ‘Victory Garden’:
