Jesus said, “If you love me, feed my sheep”, Restoration Church has taken these red letter words and followed them with great love and passion! According to 2018 feedingamerica.org, 53% of the families in Breckinridge County are below the poverty line.

Restoration Church saw the need of food insecurity within the congregation and community. Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant and the Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent partnered alongside Restoration Church and planted two 4 X 8 raised beds to serve and combat the food shortage in their community.

19 pounds of Squash, 27 pounds of zucchini, 20 bell peppers, 5 hot peppers, 15 pounds cucumbers, and 12 pounds of tomatoes, helped to feed and serve. The produce from the garden assisted in feeding 7 residents in the Exodus House (homeless shelter/substance abuse recovery). The Women’s ministry within the church also gave produce to families who had lost loved ones, congregation members were able to pick up fresh produce as needed after church on Sundays. Twenty-Five Celebrate Recovery participants were also feed with the produce. Restoration’s emergency food pantry also received produce from the gardens to donate to those who were in need of food! Healthy Nutrition Education and Plate It Up recipe cards were also handed out according to the produce in the garden. Furthermore, participants from the Exodus House received Healthy Choices Curriculum classes. Taught by the Nutrition Education Assistant every Friday of each week! The participants learned the importance of eating from all 5 food groups. And used the produce from the raised beds to make the Nutrition Education recipes. One such participant said “that’s the first salad I’ve ever had and it was good!” 

Cooperative Extension Service and Restoration Church already have plans for next year! The plans include, add another raised bed, teach life skills of gardening, and Nutrition Education cooking classes. Both choosing to fight against food insecurity within the community!!