2020 – Celebrating 20 Years of Feeding the Hungry
Greenhouse Update: Since February over 20,000 vegetable plant sets were started or housed in the greenhouse. Now they are being distributed at no charge to feed the local hungry. Below is the distribution list. In addition, some 2,300 plant sets started in the greenhouse are growing in the Faith & Grace Garden. If your nonprofit organization or garden would like to receive vegetable plant sets to feed the hungry, please contact Mark Marshall at 515-988-5381.
| Organization | # Seedlings | |
| 25 Refugee Farmers – special thanks to Lutheran Services of Iowa (LSI) | 14,000* | (*approximately; LSI indicates in addition to the 25 farmers, seedings will be distributed to about 100 other community gardeners) |
| Trinity Americas Church (food pantry for redistribution) | 1,794 | |
| Central Iowa Shelter & Services Garden | 288 | |
| St Francis of Assisi Garden | 162 | |
| Fruitful Vine Garden (Waukee) | 126 | |
| Daniels Garden (Altoona) | 250 | |
| Christ the King School Garden | 80 | |
| St James Lutheran Community Garden | 36 | |
| Drake University Sprout Garden | 18 | |
| Van Meter United Methodist Giving Garden | 132 | |
| Cornerstone Family Church | 68 | |
| Needy Individuals | 464 | |
| Total donated through May 15 | 17,418 |
What’s next for vegetable plant distribution? Sweet potato starts! Around Memorial Day, we have sweet potato starts ready to plant in the Faith & Grace Garden as well as give at no charge to local donation gardens.
Contact Mark Marshall at 515-988-5381 soon for details.
Garden Update: We are now finishing up planting 620 tomato plants in the Faith & Grace Garden. Next we will be planting peppers and eggplant, and planting more melons and squash.
Soon we will be harvesting peas, lettuce and spinach. In June, we will start harvesting blueberries and garlic.
Volunteering at Faith & Grace Garden – Sunshine, Fresh Air & Social Distance
Now is a great time to be a garden volunteer….but, in keeping with the concerns of not contributing to the spread of COVID 19 we are limiting volunteer opportunities in the garden.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mark Marshall at wdmmarshall@msn.com or by calling or texting him at 988-5381 to arrange a convenient day and time. This will allow us to plan a safe volunteer experience for you.
We ask that volunteers coming to the garden observe the CDC’s guidelines, Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) including frequent handwashing, and avoiding direct physical exchanges with other gardeners. Most importantly, if you are feeling ill, have family members or friends who are ill, have been to a location where COVID-19 is prevalent, or are at-risk or immunocompromised, please refrain from volunteering in the garden.
As always, volunteers should dress for the weather, wear hard soled shoes, and bring garden gloves if you have them. Gloves are also available at the garden if you do not have them.
If you cannot volunteer your time, consider a financial donation to continue this important work. Send your check to St. Timothy’s, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines, IA, 50266. Please note Faith & Grace Garden in the memo line.
See you in the Garden!
Tim Goldman -745-9842 timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall -988-5381 wdmmarshall@msn.com