Common Ground Ministries began harvesting the last round of crops from its community garden this past week.

The Garden of Eating, a raised-bed garden in front of a former St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Beaver Meadows, has been feeding families all summer long, said Pastor Everett Upton.

He and his wife, Sherry, founded Common Ground nearly 25 years ago and continue that mission to combat food insecurity today.

The nonprofit serves 600 to 700 families, or roughly 2,000 people, in Carbon, Monroe and Luzerne counties, bringing food to those most in need, Upton said.

“I would say 95% of it is delivery, and then 5% is what we call curbside, where families pull up,” he explained. “But most of the people have transportation issues.”

The elderly and veterans they serve appreciate having the food delivered to their homes, but also getting fresh produce, which the community garden provides, Upton said.

Common Ground started out with a small garden three years ago, which has now grown to six raised beds that occupy the former church’s front yard.

Upton harvested tomatoes, peppers and squash as he worked in the garden on a recent day.

“Each day I’ll come out here and it’s amazing how God works. You think you cut everything, and then you’ll find one of these for a family,” he said, holding up a medium-sized zucchini which was hidden under the plant’s broad leaves.

“This is so much healthier than the stuff you’re going to buy in a supermarket, that has to be shipped in,” Upton said with a gardener’s pride.

Then, Upton plucked fresh herbs — basil, mint, lemongrass, tarragon, rosemary, cilantro — to name a few; all grown among the vegetables. Fruit trees and plants also provide through the season.

One neighbor stopped to say hello while Upton gardened solo, and then a young mother out for a stroll with her sons, Noah and Oliver, stopped when Upton called out, asking if she’d like some vegetables.

Upton introduced himself to the young woman, Hannah Shibler, who lives just down the street.

“You ever cook Italian food?” Upton asked, as he handed her vegetables for her dinner table. “I got something that’s going to kick that right up.”

He picked some fresh basil and added that to her haul, while Oliver, 5, accepted the vegetables and even began to help harvest more.

“If you ever need any help in your garden, we’d love to come down and help you,” Shibler told him, illustrating how the garden forges relationships and builds community.

Over the years, Upton has given out starter plants donated from Lowe’s and encourages people they help to grow their own vegetables, too.

The garden supplements what the food pantry sources from area grocery chains, capturing thousands of pounds of food that the stores would otherwise remove from shelves.

Those recovered food items, such as fresh fruit and vegetable trays, are picked up and delivered to families in need the same day.

Common Ground also buys food from other ministries and relies on corporate donations to help with the mission. The nonprofit places signs up around the property thanking those sponsors, he said.

The organization also hosts events to bring the community together, such as bingo, paint and sip sessions, line dancing, Juneteenth celebrations and even events to celebrate military families with a barbecue, Upton said.

Those relationships with the community extend to the nonprofit’s project and vegetable garden, as young people offer to their time to help.

Twelve-year-old Adalia Guzman stopped to say hello on her way home from school. Upton pointed out that Guzman, a straight-A student at McAdoo Kelayres Elementary/Middle School, volunteers in the garden.

Guzman decided to pitch in when she saw Upton needed help after a recent surgery.

She also volunteers at the Salvation Army’s soup kitchen and the HIP Community Center, she said.

“God always says it’s better to give than receive,” Guzman said with a shy smile. “So, I just give my time.”

Common Ground would like to expand its services to provide an after-school STEM program with peer-to-peer homework help, and possibly a day care center, as none are available Beaver Meadows, Upton said.

“If it’s in God’s will, maybe next year,” he said.

Those wishing to help, donate or are in need of assistance can call Common Ground’s hotline, 570-801-2699, or email the ministry at commongroundministriescgm@gmail.com or Upton’s email, pastoreu1st@gmail.com.