Seeds of Hope: New Community Garden Planted in Fayetteville to Nourish Local Seniors and Neighbors
On a bright morning filled with shared purpose and community spirit, neighbors, local veterans, and eager young students gathered at the Cumberland County Association of Indian People (CCAIP) center to begin building a foundation for healthy nutrition in their community. Together, they broke ground on a new community garden designed to nourish body and spirit, m
arking the third Nourishing Our Neighbors Garden installed by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Built on land historically belonging to the Coharie Tribe, the new installation features two standard garden beds and two accessible raised beds. Volunteers wasted no time getting their hands dirty planting hearty fall and winter crops like leafy lettuces and collard greens. To ensure the soil thrives for seasons to come, partners at Veggies for Vets, a program of Off-Road Outreach, gifted an active worm box to naturally enrich the beds, bringing a spirit of ecological care to the project.
For CCAIP, an NC Urban Indian Organization dedicated to enhancing the self-determination and self-sufficiency of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people of Cumberland County, the harvest will carry deep meaning. The fresh produce is slated to enrich daily meals prepared for local seniors, offering fresh, healthy food grown right in their backyard. Harrison Jones, director of CCAIP and a member of the Coharie Tribe, emphasized that this milestone is more than just a garden; it is the hopeful first step toward a broader, thriving community food program.
The build itself was a moving display of intergenerational unity. Hands of all ages worked side by side, as elementary school children learned planting techniques alongside college students from Fayetteville State University, military veterans, tribal leaders, and dedicated Catholic Charities staff.
At Catholic Charities, our mission is to provide help, create hope, and serve all people with dignity and respect,” shared Vicky Jimenez, Catholic Charities Program Director in Fayetteville. “Through our Nourishing Our Neighbors Garden program, we’re creating opportunities for neighbors to take an active role in growing fresh food. Gardens bring people together, creating a place where neighbors can share knowledge, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships.”
Led by Catholic Charities Regional Director Liz McDowell, with pivotal support from CCAIP’s Harrison Jones and LaRae Russ, as well as Stacey Buckner of Off-Road Outreach and Veggies for Vets, the project has the foundation to create successful outcomes well into the future.