Gardens Grow Food and Community

Meet Vonda, a guest of our food pantry and Seed to Feed program. One of the last times Vonda visited the food pantry, she noticed some volunteers disinfecting vegetable crates. Vonda said, “I put my mask on and got out of the car and told them ‘you are doing so much more than just disinfecting crates, what you are doing really matters’”. She went on to tell them more about the importance of Seed to Feed in her life.

Vonda grew up in Virginia, but moved to Elkhart about seven years ago to be close to family. Unable to work, she relies on disability insurance to help her pay bills. Money is tight, and she’s been grateful through the years to know that Church Community Services is here if she needs us. One day she saw a sign in our lobby about Seed to Feed. She soon began participating in greenhouse morning harvests, and would help pick vegetables for the pantry, as well as her household.

This spring, when she saw that we were offering seeds and plant starts so guests could start their own garden, she decided to grow a garden. “We need healthy activities in our lives, so I took some plants and what’s happened has been amazing.” Vonda said she hasn’t always found it easy to get to know her neighbors, but because of the garden, adults and children alike will ask her questions and comment on the growth of her vegetables and beauty of the huge sunflowers she’s grown. She’s been able to share what she’s grown with three other households, and says neighbors have become inspired to try growing their own garden next year.

Vonda shared, “I told Gabby (Seed to Feed Director), the old saying is teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for a lifetime. I say, learn how to garden and you can feed a whole community.”