BLOG: Giving Back—The Samaritan Women

When we become Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructors, Mel Bartholomew encourages us to add a humanitarian component to our SFG teaching or business.  I thought you might be interested in learning about some of these efforts and even about a few with which I’m personally affiliated.

My favorite local program is The Samaritan Women (TSW) www.thesamaritanwomen.org which is just in Baltimore city limits near Catonsville.  They minister to women who have made poor lifestyle choices or who were victims of human trafficking.  TSW has a residence program where the women will receive a personalized program of education, counseling and vocational training. 

Soon they will also serve homeless women veterans – up to 16.  Because I am an Air Force veteran, this program is near and dear to my heart.  The statistics are staggering according to TSW. 

• One out of every 10 homeless vets under the age of 45 is a woman.
• Female veterans who end up homeless–estimated 6,500–has nearly doubled over the last decade
• According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 23% of the homeless population in the United States is veteran. 3/4ths of which experience some type of alcohol, drug, or mental health problem.  Among women vets, it’s estimated that 60% have addiction issues.
• In Maryland and Virginia, the estimated number of homeless female veterans in 2009 was 466; the number of available beds in our area is only 24.
• One military report suggested that upwards of 2/3rds of female soldiers experience some form of sexual assault from “friendly forces.”

While TSW does depend on donations, their hope is to become as self-sufficient as possible by farming a portion of their 23-acre property.  They give away about 20% of the harvest to local charities and “families in nutritional poverty”.  They sell their fresh organic produce to local chefs and have a stand on the property where you can purchase veggies from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON every Saturday.   

You can also sign up to participate in their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where you pay up front and receive vegetables through the growing season.  The cost is $600 for a full share which provides produce for approximately four persons from May to October.  This equates to about $25 per week.  Half shares are available for $300.  Although TSW is not “certified” organic they don’t use any chemicals.

I first learned about The Samaritan Women when my church had a work day project there.  My “project” was to build three Square Foot Gardens for their demonstration garden.  Some guys from a group called Celebrate Recovery built the raised beds for me and I provided the beds and soil-less growing medium for them.  This year they tell me they are going to plant herbs in the beds.

In addition to the farm, they also raise money by various events and concerts.  Saturday, May 12th they will sponsor a 5K Run/Walk and Farm Festival from 9:00 AM - NOON.  You can register to participate on their web site (above). 

That evening from 4:00 – 7:00 PM enjoy the “Cabana Breeze” benefit concert.  You are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy John Patti Jr. and his steel drum band.  Tickets are $15 per person (children under 12 are free) and one beverage is included with each paid ticket.  Food and beverages will be offered for sale. 

The Samaritan Women is located at 602 S. Chapel Gate Lane, Baltimore, MD 21229.