History Get Involved
History
The Garden of the Good Shepherd was established in 2014 as an initiative to support local efforts to combat food insecurity in our community. This grew out of a group of parishioners completing a 24-week formation program called JustFaith which empowered individuals to grow in the areas of solidarity and justice.
Inspired by the Community Garden at Real Life Church, the food grown at the Garden of the Good Shepherd is donated to The Storehouse food bank located in Covington. The relationship between the Garden of the Good Shepherd and the Storehouse grows from an existing relationship between our Knights of Columbus Council 11780 and the Storehouse. Our Knights Council has been assisting the Storehouse for years by picking up a weekly average of 6000 lbs of donated foods from U.S. Food Services and delivering it to the Storehouse for organization and distribution to hungry families.
Over the years, the Garden has expanded from a seasonal ministry to a year-round effort. Volunteers involved with the Garden of the Good Shepherd help to tend the garden, collect donations, and bring food items – both perishable and non-perishable – to be shared with those in need.
In addition to providing food to combat food insecurity within our community, the Garden hopes to provide education and awareness regarding life, justice, and peace issues. God’s creation is rich in opportunities to provide hands-on experiences to inspire concern and action to care for others.
Watch a brief video below made by a couple of local Girl Scouts, Claire and Christie, who selected The Garden of the Good Shepherd as the focus of their Silver Award Project. Thank you Claire & Christie!
Get Involved
Ongoing: We collect food – both perishable and non-perishable – for the Storehouse Food Bank. Non-perishable food can be brought to the altar on weekend Masses or dropped off in the Storehouse box set up by the front desk. Perishable food can be dropped off at the front desk or in the red cooler by the McMullen Center entrance. Be sure to raise the flag! Perishable food can be store-bought or grown straight from your own garden! If you are looking for a home for those extra tomatoes and zucchinis, this is it!
Weekly: We need help from parishioners to pick up the food that has been donated and deliver it to the Storehouse Food Bank.
Seasonally: The garden often needs some TLC, whether that’s through weeding, watering, planting, or harvesting. If you have a green thumb or a green thumb-in-training and want to share your time, we would love your help!