City Seeds Urban Farm Helps Homeless

By Jennifer BlomeCity Seeds Urban Farm is two and a half acres of farmland, next to a Highway 40 ramp downtown. It is cultivated by clients of St. Patrick's Center, the largest provider of homeless services in the state of Missouri.

For people like Mary Fitz, City Seeds was the beginning of a new life. Mary came to St. Patrick's center two years ago. She was addicted to alcohol, homeless, and had medical problems, including clinical depression. She had no money for treatment, and no job.

"To be honest with you, I didn't think I would last this long," Mary said. "My whole life turned around because of St. Patrick's Center. I planted seeds in this garden, and they're growing. Just like me. Look how I'm growing."

Mary tends to the garden, cooks some of the food she grows, and has sold it at the Tower Grove Farmer's Market. Mary also serves lunch at St. Patrick's Center, and is proud of her cooking skills.

Gwenne Hayes-Stewart is the Executive Director of Gateway Greening, which oversees the City Seeds Urban Farm.

"The farm is a platform for learning team work," says Gwenne. "It is not a simple solution to homelessness to hand people some money. What you need to hand them is opportunity.We are the in the shadow of the Arch, and something good is happening here in St. Louis."