St. John's, Port Moody Community Garden Project

St. John the Apostle Anglican Church, Port Moody Community Garden Project

- Submitted by Ruby Ng - 

The parish has served the surrounding neighbourhood in various ways over the years, particularly in ministries relating to food and community. Most notably, we had a food bank and hot lunch program for many years. When we closed this program due to the pandemic, we shifted that ministry to financial support for the established neighbouring food bank at SHARE. During the pandemic, we launched and have operated our Spring Street Community Kitchen (in partnership with the local United Church), which allows us to gather together virtually (and now recently in-person) to cook, learn, and engage with others in the wider community.

We share our space and parking lots with a Korean church, 12-step groups and a nonprofit organization which delivers evening programming and provides life-changing technology to help challenged individuals fulfil their dreams.

In 2022, we committed to a goal of welcoming others to our space through this Community Garden project, which will encourage relationship-building and resource-sharing. Bringing the community to this space with the community garden supports the engagement of those outside the parish in this important work, as well as serves a demonstrated need in the wider community. 

With funding from the Diocese Parish Development Grant, Port Moody Foundation and Salal+Cedar, we are able to make this a reality.

With amazing volunteers from the parish, we were able to build 12 garden boxes which are rented out as 24 plots. Within weeks of completion, vegetables and flowers are in full bloom and gardeners were harvesting for their dinner tables.

There will be an official launch of the garden on Saturday September 9, 2023, between 4 to 6pm with food, music and games for children. There is no charge and everyone is welcome.