St Alban's

ST. ALBAN’S GARDEN & CANNING PROJECT

The St. Alban’s Garden and Canning Project began in early spring of 2008 when the Bishop’s Committee unanimously endorsed a suggestion by a church member to establish a garden and canning project. The goal was to grow local food products, revive the art of canning, drying, and freezing, and demonstrate that anyone with a garden can provide for others as well as for themselves. The Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri approved a grant and awarded $1,000 to help with the purchase of food preservation equipment such as pressure cookers, food dehydrators, jars, manuals, etc. Local members donated plants, compost, seeds and fill. St. Alban members also plowed, rototilled, and laid out the garden. By the end of our first growing season, we had a special pantry built and filled with vegetables and fruits from our orchards.

Our first harvest also grew into profitable fund raisers for home-made pies. What followed next no one dreamed of as we were able to obtain (through donations and profits) 3 head of cattle. Then came the beef canning. Members of St. Alban’s work tirelessly for the ongoing projects in and associated with the gardening and canning. There can be little doubt that our efforts are truly a spiritual and unifying experience for us and for people in need. Our pantry has no income guidelines is available for those who seek our assistance.

One of our youth, Dominic, is in charge of inventory in the pantry. He notifies the congregation each Sunday what is needed to restock.

Winner of the KYOO-Missouri Beef Council-Woods Grocery store recipe contest for his Fried cheeseburger pie is Bob Wagnon.

The prize of a $1000.00 in food from Woods will make an impact for the poeple who come to us in need. We hope to purchase fruit, milk, and fresh vegetables that are usually not available in the pantry.