Contributed by Holy Cross Catholic Church On July 1st, participants from the 4-H Healthy South Texas Youth Ambassador program visited Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown as part of a county-wide educational tour of DeWitt County. The tour was coordinated by Andrew Hahn and Kaitlyn Roeder, in collaboration with Denise Goebel, DeWitt County Extension Agent.
In addition to stops at the Respondek Cotton field and Seams Like Home, the group visited the Giving Garden at Holy Cross to learn more about its mission and to participate in a hands-on service project. During their time at the garden, the ambassadors learned about the origins of the ministry, which began four years ago, the effort it took to establish the garden, and how it continues to serve the community today.
At the heart of the Giving Garden Ministry is a deep belief that through God, all things are made possible. It is through His guidance and provision that both the Giving Garden and the Blessing Box have been established and continue to flourish as a blessing to the community.
The ambassadors were warmly welcomed by nine members of the 15-person Giving Garden Ministry team, who shared their knowledge and worked alongside the students to harvest fresh produce. As part of their service project, the youth collected both produce from the garden and non-perishable food items to contribute to the recently installed Blessing Box, located in the Holy Cross parking lot since April 30, 2025.
The Blessing Box, an extension of the Giving Garden’s mission, features three compartments: one for non-perishable food, a second for hygiene products and diapers, and a third for fresh produce. It operates on the simple but meaningful principle: “Take what you need. Leave what you can.”
Thanks to the efforts of the 4-H Youth Ambassadors, the Blessing Box was refilled with new donations to help those in need.
The Giving Garden Ministry also treated the visiting students to refreshments including watermelon, honeydew melon, and cucumbers—fresh reminders of the fruits of their labor.
The Giving Garden Ministry expressed their gratitude for the group’s interest, enthusiasm, and generosity. Their contributions were described as a true blessing to the ministry and the broader community.
The Blessing Box is open to everyone— whether donating or receiving. The Giving Garden Ministry welcomes volunteers and donors to join in their ongoing mission to nourish both body and spirit within the community.
For more information or to get involved with the Giving Garden Ministry, please contact the Holy Cross Catholic Church office at 361-564-2893.
