Mission of mary Cooperative
Mission of Mary Cooperative is a catalyst and partner for sustainable urban development in Dayton, Ohio.
Our organization was born out of a community of Lay Marianists living and serving in the Twin Towers neighborhood. We were confronted with two pressing issues facing the neighborhood -- abandoned land and limited access to fresh, local produce. Our solution? Transform uncultivated green spaces into vegetable gardens and share the harvest with our neighbors. In 2009 we planted a single garden. Today we manage a network of 6 urban farming plots and grow 65 different varieties of fruits and vegetables.
Developing Partnerships for Sustainable Urban Development
Reclaiming abandoned properties in a poor inner-city neighborhood
Focusing on Energy Sustainability
Developing a net-zero energy headquarters at Silver Lane
Exploring plans and funds for increasing energy efficiency of the Lincoln Hills Garden and homes and business in the Twin Towers Neighborhood.
Operating an Urban Food System
Maintaining a network of urban agricultural plots in the Twin Towers Neighborhood
Operating a two-tiered CSA to support low cost food in the neighborhood
Distributing food through local markets
Organizing volunteers to work in the Gardens
Operating an Urban Sustainability Learning Center
Providing opportunities for experiential learning and applied research for University of Dayton
Providing opportunities for experiential learning for PK-12 Public and Catholic School and Community and Church Groups.
Engaging Twin Towers Neighborhood
Organize the Backyard Garden
Hosting Neighborhood celebrations at Lincoln Hill Gardens
PAY IT FORWARD
Mission of Mary sells produce boxes at one-third of the market price for income eligible families. Please help us feed your neighbors in need.
The East Dayton neighborhood has a greater percentage of children living in poverty (66.5%) than found in 98.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods. 28.6% of the population live below the povery line, to include single parent families, social security dependent disabled and seniors. Food prices spiked sharply in 2007-08, 2010-11 and again in 2021-22, increasing poverty and food insecurity in the inner city. The problem is considered acute.
We accept EBT cards. The SNAP food benefit is presently $3.12 per meal. Local food pantries, which have few fresh vegatables to offer, have seen a 20% increase since SNAP COVID relief was cut. Social Security and SNAP cost of living adjustments have not kept pace with real food inflation.
Commit to subsidize a poor family. Pay It Forward sponsorship pays two-thirds of the cost for a box of fresh seasonal produce benefitting a poor family during the 23 week growing season, May to November. You choose how many neighbors you want to help feed. Billed 52 weeks per each Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) share.
CSA Small Share for a family of 2-4
(Retail value of $23 + $4 donation = $27) x 23 Weeks = Total Cost of $621 for season
Family Contribution $10.00
Your weekly donation $ 7.52
CSA Large Share for families of 4+
(Retail value of $33 + $5 donation = $38) x 23 Weeks = Total Cost of $874 for season
Family Contribution $ 15.00
Your weekly donation $ 10.17
We grow over 100 different varieties of veggies, herbs, edible flowers, bouquets, and some fruit! Each week the CSA share has 7-12 items and comes with a weekly newsletter, storage tips, and recipe ideas. The produce in each weekly share is fresh from our gardens and is all locally grown, and without pesticides or herbicides.
An early summer share may include: radishes, lettuce, broccoli, kale, green onions, a flower bouquet, micro-greens, and cabbage.
A late summer share may include: onions, hot peppers, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, basil, squash, and eggplant.
A fall share may include: sweet peppers, butternut squash, carrots, leeks, swiss chard, sage, lettuce, garlic, and beets.
PLANNED GIVING
Mission of Mary Cooperative is a
endowment fund recepient
The Dayton Foundation's experienced staff can facilitate complex planned gift options, such as gifts of life insurance, bequests, retirement plans, charitable trusts and charitable gift annuities. Donate appreciated stock, real estate and other assets .
Sound Stewardship Of Your Funds
Staff Expertise
Investment Management
Accountability
Low Administrative Costs
Flexible Gift Acceptance
Planned Giving Tools
Administration
Immediate Tax Deductions
1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Dayton, Ohio 45409
Phone: (937) 222-0410
Fax: (937) 222-0636
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer to wash/package produce anytime Monday-Tuesday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Volunteer to help build produce boxes for our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program on Wed.'s anytime from 8:30 AM-6:15 PM
Volunteer group coordinator Thursdays-Saturdays
Cook farm lunches on Fridays
Gift and deliver popsicles and help keep team morale up during the hot and humid afternoons
Help organize, secure gifts and run the silent auction for our 11th annual Farm to Fork on Oct. 13
Become a Farm to Fork sponsor
Feel free to reach out to me personally by email or phone: michael@missionofmary.org or (937)556-2229 ext. 2
MISSION OF MARY COOPERATIVE
11TH ANNUAL FARM TO FORK 2023
Dinner
Silent Auction
October 13, 2023
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Basement Hall
310 Allen St. Dayton, OH 45410
6:00 PM-8:30 PM
Help us fund sustainable urban development, farm systems projects, low-cost produce distribution and community education in a poor inner city neighborhood. Join friends, gardeners, volunteers, staff and supporters of Mission of Mary Cooperative for an end of the season banquet. In lieu of ticket sales, a donation of your choice can be made at the event. There will be a silent auction with wonderful donated items. For planning purposes, at checkout, please select vegetarian or chicken.
SPONSORSHIP - CASH OR IN-KIND DONATION FOR AUCTION
2ND DECADE: $5,000+
● Table for 12 if desired
● Company Logo/personal name(s) on Farm to Fork Webpage, in person marketing
● Social Media mentions
● T-shirts, tote bag, stickers
● Major Donor special recognition in professional video education series
TABLE: $2,000
● Table for 6 if desired
● Company Logo/personal name(s) on Farm to Fork Webpage, in person marketing
● Social Media mentions
● T-shirt and tote bag
GOLD: $1000
● Company Logo/personal name(s) on Farm to Fork Webpage, in person marketing
● Social Media mentions
● T-shirt
SILVER: $500
● Company Logo/personal name(s) on Farm to Fork Webpage+ in person marketing
● Social media mentions
BRONZE: $250
● Company Logo/personal name(s) on Farm to Fork Webpage+ in person marketing
For sponsorship inquiries, contact: Michael Schulz/ team@missionofmary.org/ 937.556.2229 ext.2
For donation, please use the following link: www.missionofmary.org/donate
• Please click on ‘Donate’ to access the donation form
• Fill out the required information in the form
• Under ‘Additional Information’, please specify Farm to Fork
• Optionally, donations can be made via checks payable to:
MISSION OF MARY COOPERATIVE
619 Silver Ln, Dayton, OH, 45410ar’s Catholic Church
Our Board of Directors
Ann Westendorf Hirt
Secretary
Libby Freeze
Andrew Badinghaus
Treasurer
Michael Schulz
Executive Director
Bro. Raymond Fitz S.M.
Rob Brodrick
Chair of Board
Bro. Ron Overman S.M.
Community Partners
East End Community Services Ruskin School & Miracle Makers
University of Dayton—Hanley Institute UD ETHOS Center New Hope Community Church
University of Dayton Campus Ministry Marianist PULSE Volunteer Program
UD Business School—Flyer Consulting Montgomery County Public Health
Society of Mary and FMI (Marianists) City of Dayton—Planning, Neighborhoods & Development
Five Rivers MetroParks UD Fitz Center & River Stewards
Marianist Environmental Education Center Dayton Marianist Family Council
Marianist Lay Community of North America Partners for the Environment
Dayton Urban Grown St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Premier Health CareSource
Montgomery County Health & Human Services United Way of Greater Dayton
The Dayton Foundation Produce Perks Midwest
5 Rivers Health Centers UD Dietetics Department
Miami Valley Child Development Centers Good Shepherd Ministries
A sincere thank you to the individuals, school and service groups that donated over 4,800 volunteer hours in 2021 with a value of $136,992. They supported us with administrative, programming, land restoration, and farm operations. A special thanks for in-kind donations from:
Allied Fence Enterprise Roofing—Gutters
Tom McCrate—Civil Engineer Flyer Consulting
MAJOR DONORS
Uhl Family Foundation Hanley Sustainability Institute at the University of Dayton
Montgomery County Dayton Foundation
Iddings Family Foundation Hull Hunger Initiative
Incarnation Social Outreach Committee City of Dayton—Water Grants
Lay Marianist Visitation State Community Lynch Family Foundation
Catholic Relief Services
SILIENT AUCTION IN-KIND DONORS
Reza’s Coffee Roasterie Family Cafe Reza’s
Coco’s Bistro John Daugherty Bergamo Center
Miami Valley Home Inspections David Nolin Bill Evans
Dayton Dragons Katie Brossart Sophia Daugherty
Paul Woodie Preservation Dayton Square One Salon & Spa
Smales Pretzels Kevin Kepler John Gower
Wagner Subaru Compost Dayton Green Table Gardens
Tina Nieport Five Rivers MetroParks Oakwood Therapeutic Massage
Patricia Habegger Brother Brian Zampier, S.M. Lorka Munoz-Daugherty
Mike O’Rourke Wellness Quest Coaching Marianist Pulse
Dayton’s Original Pizza Factory Marianist Environmental Education Center
Marianist Sisters of Sawmill Community
FARM TO FORK SPONSORS
Kelly Johnson Ph.D. Fr. Ferree Chair of Social Justice at UD Paul Benson and Stephanie Slowinski
Merle Wilberding Gary and Rosie Motz
Printpoint Emily Callen
Southard and Trusty Insurance Anne Spicer
First Light LTD Jim and Susan Vogt
Joan Beyerle Chris Eyers
Candee Mackell Michael Barnes
The Look Family Foundation Neumeister Family
Chris Denzinger Mark Stone
Bob Pohl and Susan Strong Frank Surico
Enterprise Roofing Wyatt Elbin
Franz Berkemeier Kevin Krucki
Waibel Energy Systems Fifth St. Brewpub
The Dayton Catholic Worker Movement volunteers nonprofit development, video production and media distribution services.