Garden Offers ‘Growing’ Sense of Peace of Mind

Mulberry Street United Methodist Church is using a creative approach to helping feed those in need.

It’s a garden of hope. “You’re producing relationships, you’re producing volunteerism, you’re producing the idea that we can give back to the earth our gifts and take that and share it with others,” says Associate Pastor Ben Gosden.

Every week those who stop by Macon Outreach get the chance to enjoy fresh vegetable grown in the church’s community garden.

“I get a lot of high fives in the dining room when we serve something fresh,” says Associate Director Debra Garnand.

The vegetables the garden produces also make their way into community members homes.

“Just to be able to have the opportunity to take it home, wash it, clean it, show your kids how to do it, prepare it yourself. I just think its awesome,” says Garnand.

Creating the garden was a way to keep up with a disheartening trend.

Gosden says,”The numbers of people in to have meals has been steadily on the rise for well over a year now.”

Tough times took a toll on Macon Outreach too.

“Everybody’s getting hit…So when we have the ability to grow it ourselves and bring it in it lightens the load. It really does. It helps a lot,” says Garnand.

The garden offers a growing sense of peace of mind.

Anybody who would like to donate to Macon Outreach can call 743-8026..