The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Urban Pumpkin Patch returns
Second annual event at Broadway Mary’s
Downtown Lorain is brimming with a festive spirit this weekend.
Broadway Mary’s has partnered with Jim Goforth and Father Alex Barton of Solidarity Urban Farms to host the second annual Urban Pumpkin Patch.
The times are 1-7 p.m., Oct. 8 and 9 outside Broadway Mary’s, 939 Broadway.
Event-goers can purchase pumpkins and local produce at below-market prices.
“Majority of the produce is grown by us,” said Goforth, founder of Solidarity Urban Farms.
Local vendor and Solidarity Farms volunteer Samantha Barnum is providing art opportunities for youngsters to paint their pumpkins.
Barnum received a bachelor’s degree in art therapy from Capital University and is using her skills to help others.
“It’s amazing to be actually involved in the community around you,” she said. “We have to analyze the impact we’re able to make and show up as our true selves.”
Barnum said volunteering with the farm saved her life.
“I really resonate with the mission,” she said. “The garden saved my life.”
Goforth said Broadway Mary’s always has been a huge supporter.
“She’s the artistic and creative mind behind the event,” he said. “We’ve worked together a lot on different projects, and she’s always opened her doors to me and my produce.”
Goforth said community events like these are the heart of the farm.
“This is the payoff,” he said. “Our produce is grown here, and a lot of our buyers are from here, so it’s nice.”
Barton, pastor of Church of the Redeemer, 647 Reid Ave. in downtown Lorain, said his congregation is looking to connect with the community.
“We just want to showcase a lot of our fall produce and continue to spread the word about the good work that The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer and Solidarity Farms is doing inside our community,” he said.
The farm’s mission is two-fold, Barton said.
“We want to create safe and dignified communities, so kids and adults in the community know that they’re loved and capable of good things,” he said. “On top of that, we want to be a good production farm and make enough food to sell and give away.”
Every Thursday, Church of the Redeemer in collaboration with Solidarity Urban Farms, hold a free community dinner which begins at 5 p.m.
“We use the food we grow and harvest to include in our community meals that we hold weekly at the church,” Barton said. “We do farm-to-table for the people.”
All proceeds will go directly
Event-goers can purchase pumpkins and local produce at below-market prices.
back into the farm, Goforth said.
“All the money we raise today, will allow us to do more food giveaways and host free events like the clothing giveaway,” he said.
Supporters can donate to the Solidarity Urban Farms GoFundMe to directly help its expansion efforts. Goforth said.
“We’re raising money to pour a foundation and build a storefront on the actual farm,” he said. “Then everything will be harvested, washed, packed, store and sold right there on site.”