“We hope this summer to have a nice mix of families,” McCarthy says, adding that notes in the parish bulletins have asked for helpers.
Shari Armato, mother of two St. Bridget students, came to the May 19 planting session with them and their younger siblings. “I think it (will teach) the how-to’s of starting and nourishing (gardens), and the hard work involved to produce the fruits,” she says. Her own childhood work on her father’s farm brought “a sense of community to our family,” she adds, mentioning also her development of a work ethic from that long-ago gardening.
This garden will be organic, making it more safe for the kids, McCarthy says, adding that information about stewardship and taking good care of the environment will be part of the ongoing project.
McCarthy was delighted with the generosity of Cherry Valley Garden Center and Tomato World for their donation of a large variety and number of vegetable plants. Others have provided seeds, so there will be plenty of vegetables coming along to help fill a local need.
Several adults remarked that at the earlier meeting one of the children asked if once they fed all the hungry in town, then could they go ahead and feed everyone in Africa?
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One 25 x 45-foot parish garden can’t meet the goal of that huge wish. But maybe this will be the beginning of bigger things.
Printed with permission from The Observer, newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford.