Volunteer Donna McRae at Benison Farm. Photos courtesy of Benison Farm
Benison Farm: A blessing in the community By Mary Jane Park For nearly 70 years, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church has become known for outreach beyond its campus on Snell Isle Boulevard NE. One of its most recent major undertakings is Benison Farm, a coalition among St. Thomas’ and St. Augustine’s Episcopal churches and Mercy Keepers, a nonprofit started by the 20th Street Church of Christ. The farm takes its name from an old English word that means “blessing.”
An idea planted The Rev. Martha Goodwill, now director of finance for the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal church in 2017. In her case, that means she is a volunteer whose mission is to serve others, especially the needy. A St. Petersburg native who then worked at the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, Goodwill knew that closure of the Walmart Neighborhood Market in Tangerine Plaza on 22nd Street S left many nearby residents with limited access to fresh produce.
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St. Augustine’s is a historically black church with a multicultural congregation. St. Thomas’ membership is predominantly white. Over the years, the two parishes have collaborated on volunteer and social activities. “I’ve always gardened, and I had heard about a (previous) farm at St. Augustine’s,” Goodwill said. “I thought, what an amazing thing that would be to grow food for those who need it and have a diverse group of people doing the work.” St. Augustine’s, at 2920 26th Ave. S, is about a mile away from Tangerine Plaza. Goodwill, who serves at St. Thomas’, approached leaders at both churches. Was there any interest in establishing the farm? There was. She applied for a grant from the Episcopal Church’s United Thank Offering and received $64,600, the fund’s largest grant ever. The diocese added $3,000.
