Parishioners "Share the Bounty"

By Kelly Paulina

Four years ago while serving on the Social Justice Committee, Cindy Kerekon was approached with the idea of collecting fresh produce from parishionersí gardens to donate and deliver to the less fortunate in the area.Ý That was all Cindy needed to hear and she quickly began planting the seed for a new ministry at Saint Mary's.Ý It was Cindyís love of gardening that provided the fertilizer for this ministry and during the summer months of 2001, "Share the Bounty" blossomed.Ý Cindy remembers the contributions received during the first summer "the amount of produce collected was overwhelming; parishioners contributed a wide variety of tomatoes, peppers and beans, just to name a few."

ÝA basket resides in the front entrance of the church for parishioners to leave their "bounty" each weekend.Ý Cindy has also organized a team of volunteers to assist with the delivery of the vegetables.Ý On Monday mornings, Cindy or one of the "Share the Bounty" volunteers delivers the produce to St. Anne's Food Pantry or the Worcester County Food Bank to supplement their non-perishables.Ý Cindy said that ``they are very grateful and always happy to see usíí on Monday mornings.Ý The food pantry at St. Anne's typically has a "big" distribution every 3-4 weeks and also; they have individuals from other local pantries and shelters who come in to collect the goods (nonperishable and perishable).

ÝFrom this seed, grew another ministry; the Parish Vegetable Garden. Two years ago, under the direction of Father Dennis, a parish vegetable garden was sown.Ý The garden is located directly behind the "Little Brown House" and has grown considerably in size from the first year.Ý Planted in the garden this year were a wide variety of tomatoes and peppers, eggplants, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, corn and squash.Ý The contributions from the parish vegetable garden to "Share the Bounty" have been tremendous this year. ÝEven though the pumpkins and corn didn't quite make it, there is always hope for next year!Ý Ý

ÝThe vegetable garden was a success this year because of the many volunteers whoÝhelped with the planting, watering, weeding and most recently, the harvesting.Ý Each week from early June through September, one parishioner or a parish family assumes the responsibility and care of the garden.Ý The Canzano family is one of the many who have helped with the planting and maintenance of the vegetable garden this summer.ÝÝ Dana Canzano was curious how St. Mary's was using the properties that have been acquired by the parish and was happy to hear about, and volunteer to work in, the vegetable garden. ÝHe remembers the vegetable garden that his parents had every year when he was a child and the enjoyment of working in the garden and watching the pumpkins grow!Ý He wanted to share a similar experience with his three children. Ý

These two ministries which complement each other so beautifully reflect the spirit of God which is alive and well and moving at St. Mary.Ý ÝAs the harvesting season came to an end, we were thankful for all of the contributions made this year to "Share the Bounty" and we are very grateful for the many volunteers who lent their time and talent to the garden. Ý Ý