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Community Corner

Immanuel's 'Gathering Patch' Feeds Community Hunger, Spirit

A local patch of land has become a community garden giving harvest to those in need.

As you drive north on Romeo Plank Road just past you see a garden: The Gathering Patch. It's not too unusual to see gardens around town but this patch of ground is giving more. This harvest goes to "The Well" Soup Kitchen on Gratiot near Hall Road and helps those in need.

A few years ago, Immanuel Lutheran Church purchased the land adjacent to the property knowing someday it would need to expand. In the meantime, church member Tony Karcher suggested a section of the land be used for a small garden.

Once his idea started to grow, it became a larger-scale garden that Karen Reincke, an Immanuel staff member, was given the responsibility of tending. With the help of Clay Johnson from , Reincke was able to plan out which plants to have and how many to lay out a garden. Johnson also helped with preparing the ground and soil.

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Reincke got busy and received a grant from Macomb County for $500, which covered the cost of some of the materials. She also received donations from local companies such as Meijer, H20, Vince & Joes, and . A local farmer helped plow the land for the first time in May of 2010 and Reincke said, "God has blessed the garden ever since." 

The project created an opportunity for many people to get involved and to volunteer. Ryan Soulard, a local Eagle Scout, built the two benches as his Eagle Scout project and a Girl Scout troop will soon be helping with the weeding of the garden. 

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Jennifer Moore, a church member, is the head volunteer and has been coordinating volunteers for the garden.

"We need anyone willing to plant or pull weeds," Moore said. "You don't have to be a church member to help. We want the community to get involved."

Families have adopted plants to care for and to harvest and The Gathering Patch is truly considered a community garden.

"We harvest about once a week," Moore said. "We supply a pound or so a week of vegetables to the Well Soup Kitchen on Gratiot near Hall Road."

A pound doesn't seem like very much, but with lettuce, green beans and grape tomatoes, it takes a lot to get the weight. Later this summer when the zucchini, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes are ready, there will be more.

"We have to weigh all the vegetables and record what we supply to them," Moore said.

People interested in volunteering should call Moore.

"I could use more volunteers to tend to the garden," she said.

Another Boy Scout, Erik Matzinger, 12, is getting community hours along with Kyle Ausilio, 12, who is a Young Marine.

"Teens are great help and I could use more. Any teens who need community service hours should call me," Moore said.

Moore can be reached at 586-263-5763 direct or contact the church office at 586-286-4321.

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