Haverstraw, NY – Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland (CCCSR) will host its annual Blessing of the Soil event on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from noon to 1:30 PM at its Haverstraw location at 78 Hudson Avenue.
The community event, which has been held since 2010, will feature Monsignor Nevin blessing the soil, followed by activities for children and light refreshments. The theme of this year’s event is “From Seed to Supper,” highlighting how Catholic Charities grows fresh produce to support its food pantry and how attendees can learn to grow vegetables at home.
The event will take place on the site of a garden that was established by Catholic Charities on their side lawn, where staff and volunteers grow fresh vegetables for local families and individuals who rely on the food pantry. In addition to the garden, the site is home to one of the only greenhouses attached to a food pantry in the northeast.
Since its inception, the Blessing of the Soil event has been an opportunity for the community to come together, learn about the importance of fresh produce in combating food insecurity, and take part in the process of growing food to share with those in need. Attendees will hear about the organization’s efforts to provide healthy, fresh produce to those who might not otherwise have access to it.
Catholic Charities Community Services, known as “The Warm Heart of Rockland,” offers a range of vital services, including food, shelter, and emergency assistance, to people of all ages, races, and ethnicities throughout the county. The organization is committed to serving those in need and is able to assist in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Creole.
The Blessing of the Soil event is open to all members of the community. For more information about the event or the services provided by Catholic Charities, visit www.ccrockland.org or call (845) 942-5791.