WINFIELD – Not every Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Diocese of Gary has its own vegetable garden, but the conference at Holy Spirit is proud of the fact that it does, giving it the ability to offer fresh produce to its food pantry clients.
The garden was started by parishioner Lisa Curley four years ago and was recently able to expand thanks to a grant received this year from the Lake County Master Gardeners. This was due in part to the work of Judy Lazar and SVDP conference president Judy Kaletta, who completed the grant application process, wanting to add to the available vegetables for clients.
Lazar said being a part of SVDP allows her to share her time, talent and treasure while participating in the SVDP motto “help us help others.” Through her job of greeting and taking information from the neighbors coming to the food pantry, she personally sees how the efforts of the conference are providing help. While helping with the garden she also sees how clients appreciate the fresh veggies the garden can provide.
“The garden has provided fresh vegetables to our neighbors,” she said. “These are items we do not often receive from the Food Bank of NWI and other resources. It is a healthy addition to their diet that they are excited to receive. We enjoy giving them bags with tomatoes and peppers that have stickers saying, ‘from our garden to you.’”
Curley, who had the initial idea to plant the garden, has been a member of Holy Spirit since its second Mass, and recalls when liturgies were held at the PNA Hall on Grand Boulevard in Winfield, northwest of the present church, which is 25 years old and continues to be a worship site with ministries in liturgy, hospitality, men’s and women’s groups and an active youth group.
“It’s a place that has my heart,” she said.
In the winter 2020 to spring 2021, Curley was regularly volunteering at Holy Spirit. She noticed that when the SVDP members would receive food bank orders, sometimes the “fresh” items were inedible. Therefore, many times the clients only had access to canned goods.
“I was lucky enough to grow up with a mom who grew much of our vegetables, and today, I buy from local farmers, if I can,” shared Curley.
She added that her father taught her to help those in need, stating that “he lived the Beatitudes in his job as a (township) trustee.”
With a lot of land available at Holy Spirit, Curley convinced pastor Father Tom Mischler that it wouldn’t cost the church anything to develop a garden, especially since a generous parish member gave the SVDP conference the starting money. Two raised gardens were soon acquired.
“I loved that we could give fresh, simple vegetables to those who truly need them,” Curley said. “Everyone needs fresh vegetables in their diet. Sometimes they are too expensive to purchase.”
The SVDP conference also receives assistance from the nearby Church of Four Seasons, a United Methodist community. That church’s group, the Grow Getters, often shares its produce when extra vegetables are available.
Every year of maintaining the garden has been a learning experience, according to Curley. One year a batch of cucumbers grew larger than expected, overtaking the garden. And another year, Curley remembers waiting to get donated plants from JNJ Organic in Morgan Township, unsure about the growth timeline for the produce.
Looking ahead to next spring, Curley plans to continue growing peppers and tomatoes, and, with the assistance of a few more people, hopes to possibly replace a frame on one of the raised gardens.
Lazar said the conference will be applying for another Lake County Masters Gardeners Association grant next year. Last spring, the organization was given tomato plants, which were given out to its neighbors. Since this was so well received, the group would like to provide grow bags with soil and a tomato plant if awarded another grant.
But, before then, the St. Vincent de Paul conference will remain busy this holiday season. The SVDP food pantry is currently collecting non-perishable food items that can be used to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. Members will come together to pack 100 food baskets. Cash donations provide for the purchase of 100 turkeys.
The group will then move on to the same project for 100 Christmas baskets, with hams included. SVDP also sets up an Angel Tree with gift suggestions for the dependents of those receiving Christmas baskets. This is in addition to being open three days a week for food distribution. For more information, contact the parish office at 661-0644.
Caption: Members of St. Vincent de Paul assist with setting up raised garden beds at Holy Spirit in Winfield. The garden was started in 2021 thanks to a generous donation and the support of the parish community. (Provided photo)