Get Involved with Holy Cross
Holy Cross is dedicated to being an incarnational church—we don’t just want to keep our faith inside our heads. We want to live it in our community! Over the course of a given year, parishioners find themselves involved in a variety of service opportunities.
Food Bank Farm
Through the Food Bank Farm, run by our Rector, the Rev. Jim Eichner, we are acting to end hunger in the Pacific Northwest by growing fresh produce for area food banks. With your help, we aim to send 300,000 pounds of food to the food bank in 2019 alone. To date we have delivered over a million pounds of food—valued at $1,400,000—to food banks in our region.
Too coordinate your group event at Food Bank Farm, contact Jim Eichner or call 425-223-7249.
The Food Bank Farm in the News
“From Farm to Food Bank” by Kailyn Wentz, Snohomish Conservation District.
“Snohomish County community coming together to grow produce for food banks” by Alison Morrow, King 5 News.
“Ebey Island corn harvest to feed families around Washington” by Kari Bray, Everett Herald.
“How a harvest of crops is nourishing souls” by Matthew Rucker with Mary Lou Harju, Trinity School for Ministry.
“Girl Scouts of the corn” by Kelly Sullivan, Monroe Monitor Newspaper
“Good Deeds that Feed.” by Julia Duin, 425 Magazine
“I was hungry and you gave me food” by Mary Frances Schjonberg, Episcopal News Service
“Growing a Solution to Hunger” by Pat Foote, Food Lifeline
“Father Eichner Squashes Hunger” by Food Lifeline
“Break out the cap and gowns, baby squash are graduating!” by Cassie Lee, United Way King County Emerging Leaders.
“Rector Drives a Tractor” by Elizabeth Sinclair
“Redmond church’s Food Bank Farm sets new harvest record” by Dede Moore
Our fields are located at Chinook Farms in Snohomish, Washington, across from Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm.
Green Elephant Plant Swap
Several times a year, Holy Cross hosts the Green Elephant Plant Swap in our parking lot. Gardeners have fun no matter the weather!
What to Expect
Rain or shine, Puget Sound gardeners gather to share and exchange plants and knowledge with all at the Green Elephant Plant Swap The site offers parking, covered areas, indoor facilities, kitchen, memorial garden, grass labyrinth and playground. For more information, please email Jim Eichner or call 425-223-7249.
How it works: No sales, just exchanges and freebies, please.
Arrive at 10:00am for best selection: Swappers are free to come and go as they please. Most of the deals are sealed by 11:30 am. Arrive at 10 am for the best selection.
Tailgating Encouraged: The format for the trade is like a tailgate party. Traders exchange expert gardening information as well as plant materials. In two hours all the deals are sealed.
Free Stuff: Many gardeners generously share plants from the abundance of their gardens—an excellent way to begin your garden. Also an excellent way to thin out that giant patch of shasta daisies, etc. There is always a pile of plants free for the sharing at the swap.
Nothing to trade? Cookies and chocolate work like money at the Green Elephant!
More questions? Download the Green Elephant FAQ.