The Long Island Herald recently featured the Garden at St. Francis Episcopal Church in North Bellmore, which is celebrating 15 years of nourishing the community with fresh, sustainable produce for neighbors in need. What began as a simple garden has grown into a vibrant place for connection, reflection, and shared purpose, tended by volunteers of all ages under the leadership of the Rev. Grace Flint.
"There’s not a lot of space to come together across differences, and the garden is a third space — it’s not work, school, or home. It’s a place where you can come and build relationships," Rev. Flint told the Herald. "We have great diversity in thought about many, many things, but having a common goal of helping our community really brings us together — and it makes a difference."
This year’s harvest is among the garden’s best, with potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and other staples grown to help meet rising food insecurity across Long Island. In the face of federal funding cuts, St. Francis continues to give generously, providing hundreds of pounds of food to local pantries and offering a welcoming space for all.