By ROBERT ST. GERMAIN-ILER

What: 15 member churches of the CARE Center, near Hampton Cove, have collaborated together with District #3 County Commissioner Jerry Craig to bring the residents of Big Cove fresh vegetables from their local community garden.

Where: At the future building site of member church, St. Columba-in-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 415 Taylor Road, south of Wal-Mart in the Big Cove area.

Details: The two-acre community garden, positioned at the south end of the property, grows a variety of vegetables including corn, squash, okra, peas, beans, and tomatoes.

Volunteers of all ages come from local churches to plant, weed, water, and harvest the vegetables.

The county provides the cultivators and tractors to get things started in the spring. The county also provides seed, fertilizer, mulch, and other logistical assistance.

Then what: After the vegetables are harvested they are taken to the CARE Center in the Owens Crossroads community, where they are distributed to those in need.

Who: The CARE Center is a volunteer organization. They provide many resources to the area’s low-income families. Included in those services is a food bank which provides dry goods, canned foods, household items, and is an outlet for Angel Food ministries.

Gardening: Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. Tools and supervision is provided.

Garden information: Linda Loy of the CARE Center, 723-2541, or Lynn Larson of St. Columba-in-the-Cove Episcopal Church, currently at 283 Sutton Road, 534-2100, www.stcolumbaparish.com.

Other volunteer opportunities through CARE Center: Home repair ministry sends experienced volunteers to repair homes and trailers. Clothes closet, student tutoring, after-school programs and other social services.

Supported by: Several congregations, including Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and non-denominational churches.

CARE Center information: 776-3448, www.thecarecenter.us

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