COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Churches bring people together in many ways. In Sumter County, St Matthew Missionary Baptist Church is using its community garden to do just that.
“It really started like five years ago,” Capers said, “[The] pastor asked us if we could come out here and help him plant a garden for the community.”
Church school students from St Matthew Missionary Baptist Church have taken care of the garden since then.
The fresh produce they grow is there for the Sumter community, free of charge.
“We got squash, cucumbers, okras, we got a peach tree, grape vine, and plenty more, it’s for the whole community.”
Once it’s ready to harvest, people can come by the church to get the produce they need.
Tatalia Johnson says the garden provides healthy food options that could be hard for others to get.
“Sometimes people can’t afford stuff in the grocery store,” Johnson said, “We’re giving free vegetables, free fruit, and all that so they can feel like this is a good community.”
“From what we all have seen, when we do give back, they’re happy,” said Church School Student Kamorah Capers, “They enjoy the stuff and that’s what we love the most.”
Johnson says that what the garden gives goes far beyond growing produce.
She says the garden has helped her grow personally.
“The garden is like life; weeds and stuff grow that don’t belong there,” Johnson said, “People in your life are going to come in your life that don’t need to be there, so it’s best to let them go so you can get closer to G-d.”
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