Meet St Mark’s Neighborhood Fridge
https://www.stmarkwdm.org/ministries/st-mark-neighborhood-fridge/
Established on June 1 of this year, St. Mark Neighborhood Fridge is a ministry of St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. It is dedicated to rescuing usable food from local sources and making it available to those in need and is open 24/7 and is handicap accessible.
Produce from the Faith & Grace Garden is also available at the Fridge. The produce is picked up from the Garden on Wednesdays around noon by Fridge Team members and usually available the same day to the community.
Anyone can stop by and take the food that they need, no questions asked.
A successful Community Fridge reduces food waste, builds stronger bonds within the community, and promotes equal access to nutritious food. The Faith & Grace Garden is very pleased to be partnering with the St Mark’s Neighborhood Fridge in feeding local people.
Planting and Harvesting Update
Our production at the end of August totaled 20,061 pounds compared to 21,991 pounds in 2023, due primarily to excessive rain and heat. We are 1,930 pounds behind where we were last year at this time. Still, we have donated an impressive 20,000 pounds to feed our neighbors.
Below is an update on our donations through August 31.
| PRODUCE POUNDS |
| Apples 1,050 |
| Beets 270 |
| Blueberries: 10 |
| Bush Beans: 695 |
| Broccoli: 5 |
| Cabbage: 1,897 |
| Collards: 397 |
| Cucumbers: 286 |
| Edamame: 30 |
| Eggplant: 208 |
| Garlic/Garlic Scapes: 273 |
| Ground cherries: 38 |
| Kale: 217 |
| Kohlrabi: 55 |
| Lima Beans: 35 |
| Lettuce: 225 |
| Okra: 88 |
| Onions: 160 |
| Peas: 380 |
| Peppers: 500 |
| Potatoes 5,430 |
| Radishes: 75 |
| Swiss Chard: 327 |
| Tomatitoes: 165 |
| Tomatoes: 6,285 |
| Turnips: 60 |
| Watermelon: 790 |
| Zucchini: 110 |
| Total: 20,061 |
| DONATION SITES/POUNDS |
| Clive Food Pantry: 455 |
| Fresh Start: 955 |
| Lutheran Services: 39 |
| CFUM (Children and Families Urban Movement): 3,103 |
| Joppa: 160 |
| St. Marks Community Fridge: 1,040 |
| St. Theresa: 90 |
| Trinity Los Americas: 4,645 |
| Johnston Food Pantry: 1,741 |
| WDM Human Services: 7,833 |
| TOTAL: 20,061 pounds |
We Always Need Volunteers!
Volunteer hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Afternoon volunteer hours are available by appointment. Please text Mark Marshall at 515-988-5381 to volunteer in the afternoon. Please sign-up for morning hours HERE. No experience necessary.
Why sign-up? By signing up, you help us plan to make your volunteer experience more enjoyable. We are also able to notify you in case of a cancellation.
When volunteering in the garden, wear clothes that can get dirty and dress for the weather. Bring garden gloves if you have them; otherwise, we can provide them. We have all the tools you will need.
Thank you for your help!
Large groups volunteer by appointment. School, church, civic, and corporate groups are always welcome in the garden by appointment. Send a message to info@growthefood.org to learn about volunteering that fits your group’s schedule.