Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle plans to build six garden beds aimed at helping seniors, families and residents struggling with the rising cost of fresh food
Fresh vegetables have become a luxury for many people in Orillia, says Ingrid Pegg, and that reality is what inspired a new community garden initiative being planned at Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle.
Pegg, a board member with the church, said conversations with seniors in the community made it increasingly clear that many residents are struggling to afford fresh food amid rising living costs.
“A lot of them are struggling,” Pegg said. “A lot of people are struggling to purchase fresh food.”
The church already operates a food table that Pegg says is regularly used by seniors and other residents in need, but she felt more could be done.
“God put it in my heart,” she said. “I just felt, because of seeing people in the community struggle, that it was something that we needed to do.”
The idea is to build six community garden beds on church property at 375 Westmount Dr. N., with hopes of eventually expanding the project in the future.
“We have the space in our gardens at the church,” Pegg said. “We’re hoping to get that initiated shortly to get the six garden beds built, not only for the seniors, but for just people in general — young families or people that are stuck in apartments and don’t have the luxury of a little garden.”
Pegg, 74, said she began researching the idea after discovering there are waiting lists for existing community gardens in the city.
“There’s a big need,” she said.
The project is still in its early planning stages, with Pegg gathering estimates for lumber, soil, wood chips and construction costs before presenting a finalized budget proposal to the church board later this month.
“It’s going to be a few thousand dollars,” she said. “But that’s nothing compared to what the long-term goal is going to bring to the community.”
Pegg said the church also hopes to dedicate at least one garden bed to support The Sharing Place Food Centre with fresh produce.
“I reached out to them, and they gave me a list of what they could use,” she said. “We would love to grow a bed for them and provide them with fresh vegetables.”
Beyond providing food, Pegg believes the gardens could also create opportunities for social connection, outdoor activity and improved mental health.
“We just felt that putting in a community garden would certainly assist with mental health,” she said. “It gets people out, gets their hands dirty, and allows them to socialize.”
Pegg said the church has already received positive feedback internally, and she is confident the project will move forward.
“This is going to happen,” she said.
While the initial proposal includes six beds, Pegg said she hopes the project eventually grows much larger.
“In my heart, I can see its long-term potential,” she said. “I see lots of garden beds back there, lots.”
If approved, Pegg hopes construction could begin as early as June, though she acknowledged timelines will depend on funding, volunteers and coordination efforts.
“I’d love to see it start soon so people can grow this year,” she said. “I’m just hoping everything will fall into place.”
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