Growing Community in a Pantry Garden

Weymouth, MA – The Food Pantry Garden of Weymouth went from vision to reality in a surprisingly short amount of time. First conceived in July of 2018, it didn’t take long for the community to appreciate the positive impact this project could have in Weymouth, and for necessary partners to come together to breathe life into the idea.

The garden was one of the new initiatives Pam Denholm, the Executive Director for the Weymouth Food Pantry, had been exploring since her appointment in May. One of the first considerations was where to have the garden. “We wanted it to be somewhere accessible, close to one of our pop-up pantry locations, and somewhere where it could be surrounded by community,” Denholm said. Early on she approached Rev. Jennie Barrett Siegal, the Senior Pastor at Old South Union Church about the idea. Old South Union Church has hosted pop-up pantries for the Weymouth Food Pantry for over two years, and Denholm hoped they could offer some guidance. “Jennie was very enthusiastic, she opened the idea to her parishioners and Board of Trustees and in a very short space of time, with the blessing of the Trustees to host the garden on church grounds, a network of volunteers formed to talk about the project and imagine what the garden would look like, and who it would benefit.”

“Old South Union Church is a congregation that cares deeply about the community around us. Hosting the Weymouth Food Pantry Garden seemed like a natural fit. We look for new ways to feed our neighbors and serve our town. It’s exciting to see how this project is bringing together folks from the community,” said Rev. Barrett Siegal.

South Shore Bank was the next piece of the puzzle to fall into place. Kathryn Prioli, Community Relations Coordinator, spearheaded this initiative and worked with Jim Dunphy, CEO. Jim was easily able to get the support of the Charitable Foundation Board and a particular member of the overall Board of Directors Len Bicknell, retired President and CEO of Alvin Hollis, who has a passion for sustainable life giving projects. “We look forward to helping make this garden a centerpiece for gathering in Columbian Square and providing education on how the community can assist with sustainable agricultural projects, a passion of our Board Member Len Bicknell,” Dunphy said.

With the financial support of South Shore Bank and a vision for how the project would benefit Columbian Square as well as neighbors in need, there were a few other obstacles to overcome. A steering committee was formed to procure materials and coordinate volunteer efforts and the design and build out of the garden began. “I’m so happy to be part of this amazing ministry. I’m continually impressed with how our community has come together to make this garden a reality,” says Andrea Simokonis, a volunteer on the steering committee and parishioner at Old South Union Church.

24 Raised garden beds were built first, and filled with compost and garden soil. “We wanted to get the garden ready before winter so that it would be ready for our very first act of growing next year: planting of peas on St. Patrick’s Day next March,” said Denholm, “followed by many other vegetables like lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers, all of which will be donated to the food pantry once harvested.”

South Shore Bank will help complete the project by adding a shed to house various supplies, along with a seating area under a tree where people can enjoy the garden. As noted by Jim Dunphy, “South Shore Bank envisions this garden becoming a flagship meeting place for residents to continue growing a tight bond within this community and enjoy for many years to come.”

About the Weymouth Food Pantry:

The Weymouth Food Pantry serves approximately 1,000 families in Weymouth at any given time, averaging between 70 and 115 per service day. Last year we distributed 350,050 pounds of food. In our community 1 in 11 residents struggles to afford food, the Weymouth Food Pantry offers the following assistance to residents in need: free groceries, half-off pricing at the local farmers market, resources to learn to grow food at home, home delivery for homebound elders and people with disabilities, a weekend back pack program through some Weymouth schools, Thanksgiving and Holiday meal assistance, referrals to further resources, and neighborhood-specific programming.

Pop Up Pantry Days:

Tuesdays – 10:00 to 11:00am (Starting November 6th)

The First Church in Weymouth

17 Church Street

Thursdays – 9:30 to 10:30am

Church of Immaculate Conception

1302 Commercial Street

Saturdays – 10:00 to 11:00am

Old South Union Church

25 Columbian Street (enter on Torrey Street)

About South Shore Bank:

Originally chartered in 1833, South Shore Bank is a full-service community bank with assets of approximately $1.3 billion and 16 locations. All deposits are insured in full. The FDIC insures all deposits up to $250,000 per depositor and up to $250,000 per depositor for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs); all deposits above this amount are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more information, visit www.southshorebank.com.

About Old South Union Church:

Old South Union Church is a congregation located at the heart of Columbian Square in South Weymouth. On Sunday mornings and throughout the week, we offer a warm welcome to all who make their way through our doors. We are a congregation that delights in being together for worship and fellowship, for Sunday School and Bible study, for prayer and service.

Our mission is not just to serve as a gathering place for our members, though. We are a congregation that cares deeply for the community around us, and we are passionate about making a difference in the world. Hundreds of hungry people have been fed through our weekly Pop-Up Pantry, hosted in partnership with Weymouth Food Pantry on Saturdays. We are also hosts for the new Food Pantry Garden of Weymouth, an initiative to empower and uplift our community, and provide neighbors in need with garden fresh vegetables through the growing season.