In 2009, Food Gatherers launched a program called “Faith and Food,” inviting local faith-based organizations to cultivate gardens to provide produce for the hunger-alleviation group’s clients. Bethlehem United Church of Christ was one of ten or so that responded (the number has since grown to thirty-two).
Tom Ziesemer, the church’s volunteer coordinator, along with members of its outreach ministry, thought gardening would be a great opportunity for the congregation to get involved with a hands-on project. But the downtown church had room for only a lone vegetable box in its backyard. So Bethlehem planted its garden in an unusual place: its cemetery on Jackson Rd.
“I knew we had the property in an unused area in the southwest end of the cemetery and thought it was a great area for us to expand our ministry,” Ziesemer emails. “I got three of my church friends that were handy with building to put up a fenced area, build the boxes (6) and gate … Each Memorial Day weekend we have volunteers plant vegetable seedlings and during the summer [they] help weed, water and harvest vegetables that are donated to the community kitchen (Delonis Center).”
Asked if Food Gatherers has any qualms about the cemetery garden, CEO Eileen Spring says, “I don’t find it that odd … many faith-based organizations have unused space that would lend itself to growing a garden; front lawns, places where they mow.” Bethlehem, she says, is just “being creative and resourceful.”
