Restoration Ministries’ community garden is located on two lots down the street from its headquarters. A lifelong Harvey resident donated the lots in 2017. With a $5,000 grant from the Chiditarod Foundation, RM started the Willard-Lathrop Community Garden that same year. The garden has 15 raised beds and grows a wide variety of vegetables and herbs that provide the neighborhood and food pantry clients with fresh produce. In addition to the vegetable garden, a beautiful native plants garden attracts butterflies and bees to the garden. RMI’s community garden helps break down barriers between neighbors and creates a sense of togetherness.
In 1991, Restoration Ministries started the Christmas Toy Store to give families a hand-up rather than a handout. By giving parents a chance to shop and purchase toys, they get a sense of self-sufficiency and dignity. The Toy Store is for families who participate in Restoration Ministries’ food pantry and youth programs. Churches, schools, businesses, organizations and families donate thousands of new toys each year.
Every December, Restoration Ministries holds its annual Christmas Toy Store, where parents who would otherwise struggle to give their children Christmas presents are able to shop and purchase brand new toys valued from $5.00 to $50.00, for only $1.00 to $5.00. With over 3,000 donated toys, shoppers can find the toys that their children have on their wish lists!
A tradition at Restoration Ministries is distributing Boxes of Love to families in need so that they can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas dinner at their homes. Each Box of Love contains groceries for a traditional holiday dinner, including a turkey or ham, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potatoes. In 2020, Restoration Ministries distributed 270 Thanksgiving Boxes of Love to its Food Pantry clients.
