Friday, October 16, 2026
The Garden at St. Francis Episcopal Church in North Bellmore is celebrating 15 years of feeding the community with fresh, sustainable produce—particularly benefiting those in need. But beyond being a source of healthy food, the two-acre space tucked behind the church has blossomed into something more meaningful: a sanctuary for family connection, relationships, reflection, and spiritual growth.
In recent years, the church transitioned from a salaried single-director model to a more team-oriented, volunteer-driven approach. Many helping hands—both young and old—contribute to the garden’s growth. This shift fostered a greater sense of family among the volunteers and strengthened the spirit of shared responsibility.
These volunteers include Beth Baier, Carl Bucking, Annie McPartlin, Camille Gaynor, Tara Ferraro, Diana Cioffi, and Kellenberg High School senior Chris Healy, all working under the supervision of Rev. Grace Flint.
There are also open volunteer hours at the church on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and individuals or families are welcome to visit the open spaces at any time—no appointment necessary—just to relax and enjoy nature.
Their combined efforts have resulted in one of the garden’s best harvests, totaling around 500 pounds of food, including 100 pounds already donated. Crops, like garlic, onions, and potatoes, are being harvested and will be ready for donation after curing in the coming weeks.
“The weather has been good to us,” Flint said. “But also, just focusing on getting back to the essentials. We planted lots of potatoes, tomatoes, beans—just the basics of what people need to feed their families.”
Also among the crops are cucumbers, squash, zucchini, strawberries, and more beans and tomatoes.
These volunteers regularly plant, water, and maintain the space, each bringing their own skills and experiences. The collaborative effort not only strengthens relationships within the congregation but also ensures the garden remains a vibrant and sustainable part of church life.
“What I like the most is the people I’m surrounded with when I’m here—the camaraderie, being outside doing what I love, and being able to help take care of the community,” said Ferraro, who was responsible for planting the numerous fig trees on the property. “It was just meant to be. I drove past this place for 30 years and never saw [the garden] before.”
Healy, a dedicated gardener, was tending to the potatoes on Aug. 4, while Baier was repairing tomato vines damaged by a hungry animal. McPartlin and Gaynor found healing through the garden after losing their husbands years ago, and Bucking is often seen during the church’s many farmers’ market events.
Recent federal cuts to USDA funding have created significant strain on efforts to combat food insecurity, and St. Francis has not been immune. With many Long Island food pantries now receiving fewer resources, the demand for fresh, locally grown produce has surged—placing added pressure on the church’s volunteer-run garden to help fill the gap.
“That’s one of the reasons we were so focused on productivity this year,” Flint said. “Potatoes and beans—things that are very nutritious and filling—because we know more and more people are experiencing food insecurity, and it’s going to be harder for them to access fresh food.”
The church is doing everything it can to help ease the burden.
“We accept Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons, so people experiencing food insecurity can come and shop at our farm stand. Ultimately, we’re happy to give it away. This is not a money-making venture. It’s a way for people to learn about us.”
The FMNP is a federal program that provides low-income individuals with coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown produce at participating farmers' markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. There is a branch for women, infants, and children, and another for low-income seniors.
St. Francis’s food donations primarily go to St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh every Monday by 2 p.m.
Now in her fourth growing season, Flint often reflects on how the garden has evolved.
“I also think about this space in terms of the societal moment we’re in,” she said. “There’s not a lot of space to come together across differences, and the garden is a third space—it’s not work, school, or home. It’s a place where you can come and build relationships. We have great diversity in thought about many, many things, but having a common goal of helping our community really brings us together—and it makes a difference.”
