Growing For Others Our Story

Make a Difference One Vegetable at a Time

The United Church of Clinton invited the community to join with the church in Growing for Others, a summer activity whereby back-yard growers planted more vegetables than they needed so they may donate excess fresh produce to the WHEAT food pantry or local food pantries of their choice.

The United Church of Clinton, located at 109 Haskell Avenue, had four growing beds on church property, a fifth bed in the Maybarton Community Garden on High Street, Clinton, and a number of back-yard growers growing a variety of vegetables. As it becomes ready, fresh- produce will be delivered to WHEAT during the growing season. Based on our summer experiences starting in 2017 the United Church launched a smaller version of Growing for Others, fresh picked produce was very popular, and we could fill a need.

Growing for Others exemplified a core value of what it means to be a caring community. The concept of the program is simple: When one person grows an extra pepper or tomato plant, the seasonal output of fresh produce from many growers is huge. You don’t need an exceptional green thumb. Just follow the plant’s growing instructions. You don’t even need a back yard. Lots of veggies can be grown in containers.

The United Church of Clinton was engaged in a second seasonal activity, planting a Third Day Garden. This endeavor is the establishment of a butterfly and bee garden in front of the church at the corner of Haskell Avenue and Beech Street. Not merely an attractive addition to the church’s exterior, the Third Day Garden has a serious purpose. Populations of essential insect pollinators are in decline. If this trend continues unchecked, the ramifications on global food production will be severe. By growing plants especially attractive to bees, butterflies, and other insects, the Third Day Garden will contribute to the well-being of pollinators so vital for generating viable seeds.

The name of the garden is taken from the seven days of creation as described in Genesis, the first book of the Bible: “Then God said, ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed …’ And it was so…And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.” (From Genesis 1: 11-13)

For questions about Growing for Others or establishing a pollinator garden, contact Gloria Parkinson, c/o The United Church of Clinton, email: uccclintonma@gmail.com

Submitted by the Missions and Social Justice Committee of the United Church of Clinton