The following was written by Rev. Brad Meyer about the Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, Nebraska.
Food for the Hungry Garden
We were blessed this summer to receive money from the ELCA Hunger Education and Advocacy Grant. With this grant we accomplished great things!
The grant allowed us to reinvigorate our current garden with raise beds and provide for a summer staff dedicated to the garden that coordinated the preparation, planting, harvest and distribution of the produce.
Prior to the summer season, a local Lutheran congregation was involved in planting some of the plants to give them a good start before the campers arrived. Then throughout the summer campers tended the garden and were able to harvest the labors of the work done by many.
All the produce went to the local food bank as well as a new ministry entitled “Table Grace Ministries.” This ministry provides meals for single parents that work, and also teaches them cooking skills. The recipients received tomatoes, radishes, zucchini, beans, peas, and squash. They were all delighted to receive the fresh produce.
An exciting part of the program was to see campers who had never planted a seed before experience digging in the dirt, pulling weeds and feeling good about helping produce something that would benefit someone else. The work in the garden followed along with the summer theme of “Love to Serve” in marvelous ways. The campers understood that all their work was to “serve” and to help someone else, someone in need. There couldn’t have been a greater hands-on ministry than our Food for the Hungry Garden.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this ministry.
Peace,
Pastor Brad E. Meyer
NLOM Director/Programs
