Another news publication is highlighting the remarkable 15 years of faithful ministry of the Garden at St. Francis in North Bellmore. This time, The Living Church featured the Garden’s ministry, celebrating its legacy of faithful witness and the dedicated volunteers who have sustained it.
The article also names the urgency of this work. At a time when food insecurity is rising across Long Island and federal funding has declined, the Garden’s harvest is more essential than ever for local families.
Reporter Caleb Maglaya Galaraga spoke to our own executive director Mary Beth Welsh for the story:
St. Francis was the first garden ministry funded by Episcopal Ministries of Long Island, said Mary Beth Welsh, executive director. It’s a model later replicated at other parishes. She said members of the St. Francis garden team have served as mentors to other parishes building similar programs.
“Over the years, St. Francis has expanded their ministry by fostering new relationships and welcoming groups from the community to use the garden for educational and therapeutic activities,” Welsh said. An earlier Herald report mentioned the garden’s connections with Helen Keller Services for the Blind and Life’s WORC, an organization for people with special needs.