As published in the North Star Catholic:
Every summer, something powerful takes root in our community, not just in garden beds, but in the hearts and homes of families across Anchorage.
At Catholic Social Services, our Grow Local, Give Local campaign continues to bridge the gap between food security and community connection. It’s a simple idea with profound impact: vegetables grown by refugee farmers at Fresh International Gardens are harvested and delivered straight into the hands of families served by our St. Francis House Food Pantry. This is more than just a seasonal effort, it’s a powerful example of how food can foster resilience and connection.
Fresh International Gardens is cultivated by refugees, many of them mothers who are new to Alaska. In the soil, they find more than crops. They find language skills, friendships, healing, and a pathway to earn supplemental income during a time of transition. The garden provides purpose and pride as they grow food not just for themselves, but for their new neighbors as well.
Last summer, produce from refugee farmers reached more than 4,600 Anchorage households, feeding families, creating income, and building community in the process. For families facing high grocery costs and food insecurity, receiving a box filled with locally grown carrots, kale, or beets means more than a meal, it means their neighbors value and care for them; their community members look out for each other.
Fresh produce is the most requested item at St. Francis House Food Pantry, and this initiative helps us meet that need directly while also providing income for newly resettled families. Grow Local, Give Local has double the impact: those growing the food and those receiving it are both part of our community and reaffirms our shared belief that everyone deserves fresh, nutritious food and the dignity that comes with it. This year, we’re continuing to strengthen that impact. In addition to providing labeled produce and recipes in food boxes, we’re inviting more community members to get involved. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, you can be part of this growing movement rooted in hope!
A single vegetable—planted by a newcomer, harvested with care, and shared with a family in need, carries a whole story of resilience, welcome, and belonging.
We hope you’ll join us as we continue to build a food system that nourishes bodies and strengthens community. More than just nutrition, working together to care for our neighbors binds us together with connection, dignity, and shared purpose. Let’s keep growing good things, locally, together.
Each seed planted helps someone eat today and build a better tomorrow. To support this initiative, visit cssalaska.org/donate and select “Grow Local Give Local” from the dropdown menu.
