Woman's garden at Montgomery Co. Buddhist Temple helping community combat food insecurity

POOLESVILLE, Md. (7News) — Most associate Thanksgiving with family gatherings centered around a table full of food.

But for many members of our community who suffer from food insecurity, it can be a time of high anxiety.

This is a burden that Claire Seesman is looking to help ease through her work at the Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) Buddhist Temple in Montgomery County.

“It comes to everyone's minds, and especially celebrating the holidays and how others aren't able to celebrate and they're not even able to get basic needs met," Seesman said.

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Seesman manages the temple’s garden, where she and volunteers help grow fresh produce that they then donate to Montgomery County families. Their work is guided by their mantra of treating everyone as equals.

"I think when we look at especially the Buddhist intention, and what we're taught here by all of our teachers -- we're inseparable," she explained. "So you can't really separate us and so, [we're] trying to break down that otherness.”

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Propelled by a grant from the Montgomery County Food Council along with Claire’s green thumb, she says the garden has produced more than 600 pounds of veggies this year alone –- and that KPC donates 100% of that to a handful of Montgomery County organizations.

“We grow all the vegetables that people are used to being able to buy at the store as much as possible," she said. "So, a big variety and we're always trying different things and rotating based on the season.”

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One of those organizations is the UpCounty Hub in Germantown.

“What they’re doing really goes a long way for us," UpCounty Hub senior coordinator Marko Rivera-Oven said. "[There's a] big sense of urgency in regards to the fresh produce and also just certain Thanksgiving items.”

After Rivera-Oven and his team receive the veggies, they then distribute them to members of the community in what is truly a farm-to-table operation.

“The fact that KPC can assist us and actually getting some fresh produce for our families and our clients, it really puts a smile on their face," Rivera-Oven said. "Especially with inflation. Prices are very high and the families just appreciate the fresh produce coming from a local fresh farm and garden.”

Claire has planted her roots down at the KPC temple, and says she plans to keep growing as long as the need persists.

“Getting food to people so that they have access ... I'm really fortunate to have gotten to go this route," she said.