Monastery growing vegetables for those in need in the Top of Utah

SOUTH OGDEN - Volunteers spent several hours planting a garden to feed the poor Friday.

But they said their efforts were just the beginning of what they would like to see happening in the Top of Utah.

"This is an easy way for the whole community to come together and help those in need," said Marcie Valdez, director of Northern Utah Catholic Community Services.

Called Sow for Humanity, the effort is the latest development of Catholic Community Services to better serve those who turn to them to meet their needs.

On Friday, volunteers planted 176 square feet in square-foot gardens at Mount Benedict Monastery.

The strawberries, tomatoes, onions and peas harvested there will go to the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, specifically to be given to the elderly patrons.

But organizers also are getting help from area farmers, who will deliver their excess, and they're asking everyone in the community, including area churches, to grow an extra row for those in need.

"Fresh produce is a rare commodity," said Valdez. "We receive so much help from the community through canned goods and other items, but fresh produce is not something we often have available to those we serve."

The effort at the monastery was the realization of one woman's dream.

Pam Parkinson, who is also a member of the newly formed Northern Utah Catholic Community Services Advisory committee, went to the group's first meeting at the end of April with one goal in mind and that was growing a community garden.

She purchased all the supplies for her own square-foot garden on May 9, and when she found how simple it was to set up, she set about getting the supplies donated for the cause.

"Pam has really done all the work here," Valdez said. "She has gone out and solicited donations."

The sisters at the monastery volunteered their secondary water.

Bank of Utah has committed to provide 10 volunteers a week to plant and help maintain the gardens.

Plants were contributed by J&J Nursery, and other supplies were donated by Enable Industries, St. Benedict's Foundation, Ogden city, Wheelwright Lumber and the Square Foot Gardening Foundation.

"Catholic Community Services provides help and creates hope," said Kathryn Brussard, director of development and marketing for Catholic Community Services.

She said delivering fresh produce to seniors will brighten their day as few other efforts would.

Josh Pederson, a member of the CCS advisory committee as well as vice president of United Way of Northern Utah, said he was excited about the project that will benefit so many who can use the help.

He recalled a time when he was working with an elderly woman to help her save money on her prescriptions and to deliver food to her.

When he asked her what she was going to do with the money she saved, the woman told him she would buy fresh produce.

"She said, 'I haven't had it in seven years,' " he said.

Valdez said people who are not in need don't realize how expensive fresh produce is, especially for senior citizens who are on a limited income.

"Most of our senior citizens are living on less than $1,000 a month," she said.

But it's not just the recipients of the food that organizers hope to inspire with the effort.

A Bank of Utah volunteer, Wendy Parker of West Haven, spoke about the spiritual benefit she received from planting fruits and vegetables for the project.

"It brings (the spiritual side) out in a person," she said. "Getting in touch with nature is a spiritual thing."

And she said knowing that others benefit from her work is all the more gratifying.