Harvesting from the Heart at St. Vincent

Friday, Aug. 29, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — This spring, Saint Vincent de Paul Middle School students began a gardening project that transformed a plot of weeds into a school garden.  The project soon attracted many donations and has begun to benefit Catholic Community Services’ Saint Vincent de Paul dining hall.  

In April, the school worked with master gardeners who were instrumental in the project’s success. Headed by volunteers Gwyneth McNeil and Dorie Olds, the garden was designed and the students were taught gardening techniques. 

“They brought a very good perspective on the land and our connectedness to it, and the spiritual side of growing produce,” said Gary Green, Saint Vincent de Paul vice principal. “I liked that and it tied in very well with the religious end of what we do.” 

Soon after the project began, donations and manual help poured in from various community businesses. Serendipity Stables donated materials, equipment and a team of volunteers. Rocky Mountain Power contributed wood chips. Boy Scouts removed branches, while the school’s students were responsible for maintaining the garden through the end of the school year. Over the summer, Saint Vincent families volunteered to water and weed the garden.  

“There is truly a community being built here in action, not just words,” Olds said. 

Green agreed. “This is a real partnership between the school and the community,” he said. 

The first harvest of the season was donated to Dinner at Vinny’s at the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall, a Catholic Community Services organization that provides meals to the homeless.

“I feel good about this garden because we are planning and working to provide nutritious food for the homeless,” St. Vincent sixth-grader Gracie Rice said.

Mary Jo Ahlin, a parent volunteer at the school, added, “The cook at St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen just lit up when he saw all of this gorgeous squash coming his way. They will welcome any and all produce that we harvest!”

 Holladay Council member Pat Pignanelli summed up the garden this way: “I think it is the most wonderful project – combining a county, a city, a neighborhood, a church, and ultimately creating a community. It grows more than just produce. It is beneficial to everyone.”