www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 34, No. 6 september 14, 2012
Mother Teresa of Calcutta parishioner Jean Walter, left, looks over Mother Teresa’s canned goods during an outing with her sister Sylvia Nordhus.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta parishioner Alita Kennedy, a regular at the Mother Teresa’s Garden Market, inspects a fresh crop of onions.
Garden of Eatin’ Parish paradise yields food for the poor and fellowship for the faithful Story and photos by Jill Ragar Esfeld
T
opeka — When Shirley Mitchell recently lamented the absence of homegrown tomatoes at a chain grocery store in Topeka, a fellow shopper proffered her a mysterious tip. “Mother Teresa has them,” she said. Fortunately, Mitchell, a parishioner of St. Stanislaus in Rossville, soon recalled seeing a road sign advertising Mother Teresa’s Gar-
den. And she was intrigued. The following Saturday, she ventured forth. And there, to her delight, she found far more than fresh tomatoes.
More than tomatoes At this amazing little market, on the grounds of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, a community has grown up around the business of selling produce. People talk and laugh as they inspect the myriad of vegetables, fruits and canned goods. Be a Part of Mother They sip cups of fresh coffee and share homeTeresa’s Garden made pastries. Mother Teresa’s Garden “Last Saturday, we made would love to expand, but bacon, lettuce and tomato needs more volunteers and sandwiches,” said Dale is interested in getting other Strathman, who’s been the local parishes involved. driving force behind the Contact Dale Strathman market since it began four for more information at (785) years ago. 286-2879. Committed to helping the poor with profits, as its namesake would wish, Mother Teresa’s Garden sold enough produce during its first year to make a $1,500 donation to Topeka Rescue Mission. “We were really grateful for what we got that first year,” said Strathman’s wife Vera, the market’s cashier and accountant. “We never dreamed we’d get very much more.” But the following year they raised $4,000; the year after that, $8,000. And this year, during the hottest, driest summer on record in See “garden” on page 6
Dale Strathman, who is the driving force behind Mother Teresa’s Garden, packs up bushels of corn to be sold at the farmers’ market.