Learn more about the
Society of SVDP/Monastery Community Gardens
A Brief History of the GardensFounded on April 15, 2008 at St. Bernardine's Monastery, Hollidaysburg, PA The Blair County Community Gardens had been located on the grounds of the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home for 32 years. It provided the community with garden plots on which gardeners could grow fruits and vegetables for family use. It had a long history and was especially popular during war years. The Blair County Master Gardeners of the Penn State Extension service gave oversight and basic information and education to area community gardeners. In 2007, when it was announced the government planned to build an armory near the garden site, Blair County Penn State Cooperative Extension Director, Tom Ford and Pat Trimble, chairperson of the Master Gardener Community Gardens project, began the search for a new garden site. The Franciscans of St. Bernardine's Monastery offered two, one-acre plots for use as a community garden. The new site was officially approved on April 15, 2008. The friars, under the leadership of Father Patrick Foley and Brother John Kerr, along with several Penn State Master Gardeners and community gardeners planted the first garden. All the vegetables grown in the food donation gardens are delivered to area food distribution agencies, nursing homes, assisted living homes and soup kitchens. No agency has ever been turned away. In 2015, the Monastery Community Gardens became associated with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as a special project. That year was a banner year for community gardeners and the garden - vegetables were harvested and sent to our hungry neighbors. |
The Food Donation ProjectThe Food Donation Project gardens, under the supervision of Jim Yeager, consists of a field garden and two high tunnels. The second high tunnel was erected and completed in early spring, 2018. The donation project depends on an “all volunteer” group to prepare, plant, water and weed, as well as harvest and distribute the crops to feed our hungry community.
We rely on agencies such as food banks, soup kitchens, nursing homes, shelters and churches to distribute to and/or feed the less fortunate. Thanks to a dedicated volunteer force, this worthwhile project supplied over 3 tons of food in 2017. We expect to exceed that yearly total in 2018. We are located at: 793 Monastery Rd. Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 |
Our mission and purpose
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul / Monastery Community Gardens Mission Statement
The SSVDP\MCG project offers quality land for green produce production; seeks to donate produce to persons in need; offers presentations on the environment and sustainability; and develops and cultivates a spirituality inclusive of nature or creation, through teamwork and social events.
Three Purposes of SSVDP / MCG
The SSVDP\MCG project offers quality land for green produce production; seeks to donate produce to persons in need; offers presentations on the environment and sustainability; and develops and cultivates a spirituality inclusive of nature or creation, through teamwork and social events.
Three Purposes of SSVDP / MCG
- Provide locally grown produce in service to the larger community.
- Cultivate community, grounded in a spirit of hospitality that welcomes God’s presence in all persons and in the events of sowing, reaping, sharing, and learning.
- Cultivate environmental awareness, reverence, respect, and gentleness toward creation and all creatures.
