Susan’s Garden

Benefitting our community through donations to local food pantries

WHO IS SUSAN?

Susan O’Brien was a generous parishioner of St. Max. Upon her passing in 2014, she left money to St. Max to use as we saw fit. When Susan’s brother mentioned her love for gardening, we knew just what to do. In God’s providence, parishioner, Dan Phares, had been wanting to use his gardening expertise to begin a community garden at St. Max, but didn’t have the financial backing. Now, the pieces were falling into place. By 2017, St. Max had a community garden to serve those for whom fresh produce is a luxury. After a couple changes in leadership, Susan’s Garden is now growing and producing more than ever

PROVIDING A LASTING IMPACT

In 2023, Susan’s Garden ministry grew and collected over 2000 lbs. of fresh produce. About 1000 lbs. was distributed via the food pantry at Reach Out Lakota in West Chester. Another 1100 lbs. was delivered to the Community Meal Center in Hamilton whose mission is “to provide safe and dignified havens where hot meals and shelter may be shared.” The donation is used for the meals prepared there each Friday evening and as take-out for the people who are served by the center.

  • "Not only does the work of our hands feed people in a real and tangible way, but the actual work is an offering of prayer for those in need.”

  • “Susan’s Garden is a way for parishioners to work together to steward God’s gifts of nature and help those in need of produce. We can always use more help. We don’t want to burn out the volunteers we have and would love to be able to share the work with new members.”

  • “It serves as a quiet place to meditate on God’s gifts to us.”