Rose McAvoy

For there shall be a sowing of peace.  The vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give its produce and the heavens shall give their dew.”  

Zechariah 8:12

At St. John the Baptist Parish, our mission to “gather, grow, go” guides us in everything we do, from our spiritual practices to our community outreach initiatives. The Garden of the Good Shepherd embodies this mission in a tangible, impactful way. Since its inception in 2015, the garden has been a place where our community comes together to cultivate not just produce, but also compassion, service, and hope.

We are thrilled to announce that our garden has received wonderful news! Thanks to the Archdiocese of Seattle and the generous contributions from parishioners to the Rice Bowl Lenten program, the Garden of the Good Shepherd has been awarded a $1000 Rice Bowl Grant. This grant is specifically for programs that help fight hunger, demonstrating the incredible achievements that can be made through collective effort.

A History of Helping

Since its inception, the Garden of the Good Shepherd has been providing fresh, healthy produce to the Covington Storehouse, our local food bank. From 2015 to 2023, approximately 1700 pounds of food have been donated. This extraordinary accomplishment has been made possible through the dedication of volunteers who plant, tend, and harvest the garden each year. It is important to note that the garden is 100% volunteer-run, relying entirely on the time and efforts of parishioners and community members.

With the new grant money, the garden’s efforts have been expanded even further. Two new 4×8 raised garden beds have been added, six yards of compost have been acquired, new starter plants have been purchased, and there are still funds left for the remainder of the season. These additions will enable the garden to grow more and better food to provide to those in need.

How to Help

Everyone is invited to join in the garden! Volunteering at the Garden of the Good Shepherd is a fantastic way to express our parish mission of “gather, grow, go.” It offers an opportunity to meet other people, help grow food, and make a significant impact on the community.

Never fear! You don’t need to be an expert gardener to volunteer. There are many ways to help, such as planting seeds, pulling weeds, harvesting vegetables, and delivering the food to the food bank. Every contribution helps continue this essential work.

How to Get Involved

If you’re interested in helping at the Garden of the Good Shepherd please get in touch! Time and effort contributed will help fight hunger in the community and uphold the mission of compassion and service.

To sign up or learn more about how to help, please use the link below. New volunteers are always welcomed (get the whole family involved!), and the parish is very thankful for the current team. Together, we can ensure that the Garden of the Good Shepherd remains strong and continues to assist those in need.

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Thank you again to the Archdiocese of Seattle for the generous grant and to all our parishioners for your support. Let’s continue to “gather, grow, go,” and make a difference together.