Faith & Food

Faith and Food was created in 2009 in response to the historic faith-based efforts to address hunger in our community.  Growing Hope partnered with Food Gatherers to pilot this program.  Food Gatherers has always relied on donations of fresh produce for distribution to those in need, and started a coordinated campaign to encourage congregations to start a Faith and Food garden, or continue/expand a current garden. Each faith garden is asked to devote at least 50% of their garden for donation to Food Gatherers; the remainder may also be donated, shared or sold among the congregation. Most gardens are located on-site but some congregations gather items from their home or community gardens for collective donation.

Feedback from participating congregations and partners indicates continued enthusiasm for growing food for donation.  Participating congregations worked hard and donated an impressive 3,500 pounds of food in 2009! Additional in-kind resources have been identified and will be available to congregations participating in 2010, and Food Gatherers will continue to partner with ICPJ and Growing Hope to provide support to Faith and Food gardeners.