Anyone who has a garden knows it takes time, care, water, plentiful sunshine, possibly fertilizer and a green thumb - something John Orsini, Josie Sabella and Tom Krause say they have. As members of Trinity United Church of Christ, they, as well as other members of the Third and Coplay streets, Coplay, church, have been growing a 20-foot-by-20-foot vegetable garden on the church grounds. Once the vegetables reach maturity, they are donated to Northampton Area Food Bank.

“I did the preparing and rototilling in the spring. The plants are donated by parishioners here, and then the three of us planted,” Orsini said.

A sign-up sheet was then placed in the church for members to volunteer for the rest of the spring and summer to take care of the garden, such as watering and weeding, for one week. For 2016’s season, about eight families, a number greater than last year, have volunteered to upkeep the garden.

Former pastor of the church Steve Hummel came up with the idea to donate vegetables to the food bank, Sabella said, “so that we could give to the community. It gets the congregation involved in a worthwhile cause,” she emphasized.

The only initial cost was the fence, which was donated by a garden center that Hummel contacted.

This has been the second year the church has grown a garden and also the second year for donating the produce to Northampton Area Food Bank.

“We’ll probably make it bigger next spring,” Orsini said, “maybe 50- to 100-percent larger.”

Orsini, Sabella and Krause may consider continuing the garden with fall vegetables, too.

“There are some fall crops,” Orsini said.

As another goal for next year, Sabella said they’re hoping to supply their well-known food stand at Coplay Community Days with their own harvested cabbage for cabbage and noodles.

“Instead of buying all the cabbage, we’re hoping next year we can plant it and have our own portion of it,” Sabella said.

Each week, Tuesday is harvest day; and Wednesday, usually about two garden baskets filled with fresh, local vegetables are dropped off at the food bank.

“And the food bank is so happy for it; they really appreciate us bringing it,” Sabella said. “There are several hundred people who the food bank is servicing in Northampton.”

“We’re able to offer a healthy alternative to some other things you get at the food bank,” Orsini said. “It’s a lot of processed food.”

Orsini said it took a while for things to take off because it hasn’t been a great year in general for gardens.

“It was cool in the spring,” he said, but the end result is plentiful.

Planted this year were lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, banana and bell peppers, string beans, broccoli and cauliflower.

Why does Trinity UCC continue the garden?

“We have the land available; we have the desire,” Orsini said.

“We like gardening,” Krause added.

“And it’s so nice to see [food bank recipients] happy to get fresh vegetables,” Sabella continued. “And if they don’t know what to do with some of [the vegetables], the ladies (at the food bank) will tell them how to make it. So it’s nice to give to people who wouldn’t have fresh vegetables.”

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Orsini said.

The garden, which was started in mid-May, will probably last until late September. If you are interested in volunteering with Trinity’s garden project, until then or even next year, call the church office at 610-262-8933.