LINCOLNVILLE, SC (April 9, 2021) — A group of nonprofits and members of the Lincolnville community will host the launch of the African American Church Community Garden and Food Security Project on April 10, 2021. This project aims to strengthen the collective power of Black churches of various denominations to establish an equitable food system for their local communities across the state of SC. Launching in Lincolnville, SC because of the town’s long history of Black empowerment dating back to its founding in the late 1860s, this inaugural garden will be named the Bishop Richard Harvey Cain Community Garden after the faith leader who founded the town. Bishop Cain also founded Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the host church for the launch of the project, after purchasing a large tract of farmland together with a group of other Black leaders from Charleston.
The African American Church Community Garden and Food Security Project is an initiative of The Balm In Gilead, a national organizations based in Richmond, VA. The Office of Health Disparities Research Mayo Clinic has joined with the Balm In Gilead and The Black Church Food Security Network, a project partner, to support the evaluation components of the initiative.
Bishop Samuel Green, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 7th Episcopal District of the AME Church; Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton Charleston County Councilman, District #6; Rev. George E. McKain, Director of Public Affairs & Social Concerns, of the AME Zion Church; participating faith leaders from across the state; political leaders and members of the Town of Lincolnville will join hands to plant the first seeds of the Bishop Richard Harvey Cain Community Garden.
WHAT:
The Launch of the African American Church Community Garden and Food Security Project-SC and the opening of the Bishop Richard H. Cain Community Garden
WHO:
Ebenezer AME Church, Host Church, in partnership with The Balm in Gilead, the Black Church Food Security Network, and the Lincolnville Preservation & Historical Society
WHEN:
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 10:00 am
WHERE:
Location on the Parcel of Land: 112 Dunmeyer Hill Road, Lincolnville, SC Event will be held outdoors in accordance with CDC-recommended guidelines, including the practice of social distancing and masks worn by participants and guests.
About The Balm In Gilead
Celebrating 32 years of service, The Balm In Gilead works to prevent diseases and improve the health status of individuals by providing support to faith-based and other institutions in areas of
program design, implementation and evaluation. This support strengthens their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities among African Americans.
Description of The Black Church Food Security Network
The Black Church Food Security Network strengthens and establishes economic ventures that supply every part of the food system by utilizing an asset-based approach in organizing and linking the vast resources of historically African American congregations and Black farmers in rural and urban areas.