The community garden at the O’Connor Family Centre is tackling food insecurity head on – helping families get nutritious produce that they contribute to growing.
Members of our community plant seeds, pull weeds, work the garden, and then enjoy delicious summer vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, zucchini, carrots and more!
Donavan found healing and purpose through the community garden. It became a sanctuary during a time of physical and emotional hardship. The garden not only helped him on his journey to recover health, but it also gave him a sense of belonging.
“Everybody makes me feel welcome at the garden. It’s an oasis for so many individuals,” says Donavan, who visits the garden regularly to work and enjoy the bounty. “I want to help others, and I love to grow things. I come here after dinner in the evening to pick fresh mint and then I have mint tea every night. I’m so grateful that I have somewhere I can go to feel safe and peaceful.”
Produce from the garden is also shared through our O’Connor Food Bank to help even more community members in need. Donavan says, “Giving the fresh vegetables away and seeing how much somebody appreciates them is priceless. This garden is a treasure, and I want to thank the people who make this possible – we have nothing without you, and it means everything to us – thank you!”
The Impact of the Garden on Our Community
As food prices climb, Scott Mission’s community garden is putting fresh produce on the table for more than 16 families – going beyond just planting and harvesting, to sharing the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Our neighbours who visit the garden interact with Scott Mission’s Ministry Coordinator, Josiah Lazarus, who says, “The garden has a powerful impact on the O’Connor community and our staff. There’s something truly special about working side by side with community members – planting, laughing, learning, and growing together. Everyone experiences a unique sense of peace and calm in the garden.”
Isaiah 58:10-11 reminds us, “…if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
The community garden is not just a project. It’s a source of peace, pride, and purpose – where everyone contributes to deliver hope – one seed and one smile at a time.
