Tapestry Farms volunteers tackle local food crises

DAVENPORT, Iowa — A dozen in Davenport spent their morning planting 10,000 onion seeds Saturday, April 12. Volunteers with the Quad Cities’ Grace Evangelical Church and Tapestry Farms exercised their green thumbs to tackle local food crises.

One in nine Iowans faces food insecurity, according to data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, which means they have limited access to adequate food. That fact compels the planting event’s coordinator, Dave Phillips, to donate what he can whenever possible.

“We have 1.2 acres of land out here, and we grow vegetables, and we give them to food pantries, meal sites, homeless shelters, food-challenged individuals,” Phillips told News 8. “Two days ago, we planted 800 pounds of seed potatoes. In about three weeks, we’ll be planting cabbage plants, and at the end of May, we’ll plant about 525 tomato plants. We’ll plant watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, cabbage, green peppers.”

Phillips started the project 24 years ago. Beyond providing for others, he said getting out to garden keeps his body in shape and his soul full.

“I’ve always said that every human being has an innate need in their lives to make a positive difference, and this is just one opportunity that people have to make that positive difference, feeding the hungry.”

To volunteer in the future, email [email protected].