Nisswa Church Donates Garden Plots to Support Local Food Shelf Initiatives

In a generous act of community service, the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa has donated four community garden plots to the Lakes Area Food Shelf. This initiative is part of the church’s ongoing partnership with the food shelf, aimed at supporting the local community through practical acts of mercy and neighbor-love, reflecting the biblical call to care for those in need as seen in Matthew 25:35.

The garden plots have yielded a bountiful harvest, including peppers, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, and kohlrabi, all of which are available to patrons of the Pequot Lakes food shelf. The success of this project is largely due to the dedication of three volunteers: Lorraine Birskovich, Scott Johns, and Jody Miller. These volunteers have embraced the additional responsibility of tending to the garden plots, with Birskovich taking the lead in guiding the team.

The church’s Creation Care Team, which includes members Paula West, Laura Raedeke, and Mark Smith, has played a crucial role in maintaining the garden. Since its inception in 2009, the community garden has offered 50 raised beds, each flourishing with a variety of produce and flowers. This initiative not only provides fresh, nutrient-dense food to the community but also educates food shelf patrons on preparing and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables.

Tammy Larsen, the food shelf director, emphasized the importance of offering healthy food options. “Lakes Area Food Shelf is just very focused on having healthy food,” Larsen said. “We want nutrient-dense food in our food shelf. We highlight it. Our fresh fruits and vegetables are the first thing that someone sees when they come.”

The food shelf also provides educational resources, including a three-ring binder with 50 recipes to help patrons incorporate fresh produce into their meals. This effort underscores the church’s commitment to supporting the community through practical acts of kindness, embodying the principle of loving one’s neighbor as oneself, as highlighted in Galatians 6:10.

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