By Hope 2508 pastor Lionel Rattenbury

The community spirit is alive and well in Helensburgh. Local businessman, Mattias Samuelsson, of Ray White Helensburgh, has donated $3250 to help start a garden to grow vegetables for people who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Hope Church 2508 runs a Food Pantry every Friday during school terms, providing people with access to groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, and bread. Fresh produce is donated by Oz Harvest, Second Bite and Foodbank. Often the vegetables provided by these agencies are tired and need to be eaten that day or soon after.

A local family who attends the church heard of the need and offered their land and labour to grow 100% organic vegetables. They partnered with Tim Boxall, who will help them construct garden beds that are fully enclosed to keep deer and birds away.

Thanks also go to Spot-On Hose and Fittings, who donated a generator, water pump and hoses, and Woonona Eye Care, who donated $200.

We are on the way! Work has begun on the construction of the enclosure that will house 16 raised garden beds. Members of Helensburgh Seniors Travel Group have volunteered to raise seedlings from seeds. This will reduce the overall running costs of the garden.

Mattias said, “I’ve always been a big believer in helping our local community, so when Lionel came to me with an idea that would assist those in our area who needed it, I was more than happy to get involved.”   

More info at hopechurch2508.org.au/community-pantry/