New this year, the diocesan Social Justice and Outreach Committee (SJO) offered grants to support the efforts of creating and sustaining parish-based vegetable gardens. Depending on the location and circumstance, it is expected that such produce will be distributed through local food pantries or to support parish-based outreach efforts.
These grants are intended to support Episcopal parishes and organizations to create new vegetable gardens or to support an already functioning garden with small material needs such as seed or plant purchases, fencing, bed construction, soil or fertilizer purchases, soil testing costs, hand tool purchases, water connections, rain barrels, etc.
The 2013 grants, totaling $1,450, went to:
- The Community of Celebration in Aliquippa
- Shepherd Wellness Community in Bloomfield
- Sheldon Calvary Camp in Conneaut, OH
- St. David's Episcopal Church in Peters Township
Committee chair Nancy Lapp and project chair Pat Eagon said in the award notifications, "We congratulate you on your application, and your plans for this garden. We anticipate great success and many blessings for you and your community!"