BUCYRUS — Every Wednesday you can find Bucyrus resident Juanita Gatchell and two of her grandchildren, Macey and Madelyn Williams, at Bucyrus Nazarene Church selling vegetables.

During the rest of the week, they’re growing them.

Gatchell began participating in the growing project at the church a few years ago and wanted to involve her granddaughters.

“Our garden is near the church and we are growing several vegetables, including tomatoes and a variety of peppers and beans,” Gatchell said.

She pointed out another garden with sweet corn and pole beans.

Macey, 11, said she enjoys tending to the garden.

“It is fun and it’s for a good cause,” she said as she checked the progress of one many tomato plants.

Gatchell said there are about 10 growers that participate in the local growing project, including farmers and people with gardens at the church.

“This year, our proceeds from the sale of the produce are going to Honduras to help impoverished people there learn to grow their own food,” Gatchell said.

Diane Fortner, who sets up the wagon each Wednesday in front of the church from 6 to 8 p.m., said her nephew, Tad Fannin, recently took a job with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, which spearheads the growing projects across the nation.

“Our ministry helps farmers in other countries produce food for the people who live in their areas,” she said.

According to the website of the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, of the very poorest people living in our world, 70 percent live in rural communities and depend on what they can grow to survive.

The project is designed to help small farmers increase their yields, which in turn helps families put food on the table.

Compassionate Ministries is a member of the Foods Resource Bank and partners with individuals, churches and communities across the United States to help in the fight against world hunger.

Gatchell said the Growing Project has brought together local farmers with her congregation to provide the produce to sell to help fund the ministry in Honduras.

“It is a really neat project to be a part of,” said Gatchell.

Madelyn, 13, said she enjoys helping others.

“I like helping others and gardening is a fun way to do it,” she said.

The Bucyrus Nazarene Church is located at 2165 Ohio 4, south of Bucyrus.

Madelyn Williams, 13, and her 11-year-old sister, Macey, work in their garden at Bucyrus Nazarene Church with help from f8-year-old Landon Swerlein. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/08/web1_grow.jpgMadelyn Williams, 13, and her 11-year-old sister, Macey, work in their garden at Bucyrus Nazarene Church with help from f8-year-old Landon Swerlein. (Kimberly Gasuras | Galion Inquirer)