Larry Vickery and some of his friends in his Sunday school class don’t call themselves expert gardeners, but in three growing seasons, they have raised enough produce to feed 5,000 people in the community.

Known as a “glory garden” — this community garden, nestled on McDaniel Station Road, exists to help people who have faced uncertain times have food.

Vickery, who is the executive director of the glory garden, told members of the Kiwanis Club at their Jan. 5 meeting that the garden started as a collaborative way to help combat hunger in the community and needs help blossoming.

“The problem is, you have people in Gordon County who are out of work, who don’t have an avenue or anywhere to turn,” Vickery said. “The garden is for people who want to help themselves.”

Local residents can come to the garden and pick their own vegetables to take home to feed their families. It is based on the honor system.

Several local churches sponsor the community garden, and the Calhoun Industrial Development Authority donated the 12-acre plot of land. It’s organized by Orlando Wilson and Jeff DeFoor and more than 100 local volunteers each year.

Vickery has gotten many volunteers to come out and help, but is concerned about finances. Vickery and others are trying to find corporate sponsors to help with financial needs and also to purchase a tiller.

“We’d like to find some permanent sponsors,” Vickery said. “There are people who need fresh veggies.”

Vickery and local churches in Calhoun are working to continue providing fresh vegetables for people in the community. Their project took off three years ago, and is still blossoming.

With a community kitchen slated for 2011 at the Voluntary Action Center, the vegetables could also be used there, he said.

For more information about glory garden or to make a contribution call the Voluntary Action Center at 706-629-7283.