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Program promotes sharing the bounty of gardens
By LINDA M. LINONIS
NEW MIDDLETOWN
The Garden Share Program grows a bounty of vegetables and herbs and gives it all away. By doing so, it cultivates a sense of community spirit and involvement among those who give and those who benefit.
Lee Eminhizer is the driving force behind the project, which began four years ago. The Poland Township resident said she “became aware of struggles of some families to buy food and medicine.”
The member of St. Paul the Apostle Church said she spoke with the Rev. Stephen Popovich, pastor at the time, and he suggested praying for direction on how to help.
Eminhizer also said she knew that many gardeners within the church and community produced more in their backyard plots than they could use. It became her dream to collect donations from gardens then distribute to those who could use a healthy boost of fresh produce in their food resources.
With help from Lori Barber, a St. Paul member who made fliers about free produce, Eminhizer first set up a table in the gathering space at the church for a Saturday Mass in the summer of 2012.
Eminhizer brought half a bushel of green beans. To her surprise, she found the table filled with vegetables that church members had donated. And so the Garden Share Program took root.
From that first outing at St. Paul’s, the project has sprouted into an appetizing element of free community dinners sponsored on rotating Tuesdays at Springfield Township Community Council of Churches. Each week, Eminhizer sets up a display of what gardens are yielding. As each dinner progresses, those attending stop by and select fresh vegetables. Monetary donations are accepted but not required. “Donations are all if you can, what you can or when you can,” she said.
The giveaway continues weekly at St. Paul’s before and after Masses at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Eminhizer is there for all. Additionally, she said, homebound members of churches can receive a bag of produce upon request, and emergency food bags also are available. Each church is responsible for delivery to its own members.
Eminhizer estimated about 25 percent of St. Paul members have backyard gardens and contribute to the project as do other community gardeners. “It’s gotten bigger and helps more people,” she said, noting that donations by professional farmers and wholesalers also are part of the effort.
In 2014, Bruce and Mary Ann DeRhodes, St. Paul members, provided garden space on her husband’s family farm on East Calla Road in Springfield Township. This year’s garden measures 300 feet long and 50 feet wide with 74 single and double rows.
Eminhizer could relax in retirement after a 33-year career as a teacher of food and nutrition; she taught many years in Howland School District. But that’s not her style. Her cellphone is always in her pocket, and many calls deal with Garden Share. “My reward is the smiles, twinkles and happiness,” she said of the recipients who need and appreciate the fresh food. “Because of what we offer, many people are eating new vegetables and trying new recipes. They’re getting healthier because their diet is better.”