Francesca’s Garden Will Benefit So Many in Need

Long-time readers of The Update will remember that for the past three summers, due to the generosity of former Cabrini University trustee Elizabeth Riley Bell and her husband, Ray, we were gifted with heirloom tomatoes that were planted and nurtured by Gus Feudale, the Cabrini University Grounds Manager, and his crew on the grounds of The Cabrini Cottage. The garden is named in honor of Mother Francesca Cabrini, whose parents were farmers.

The tomatoes are harvested each year and brought to area homeless shelters and homes for rescued victims of human trafficking. This year, Elizabeth and Ray have relocated and so, Gus Feudale and his crew have taken up the mission of the vegetable garden, once again, planting tomatoes, and introducing sweet peppers, mini-eggplant, butternut squash, zucchini and watermelon. Just yesterday morning, the Cottage ladies discovered the first pepper to sprout. Given the combination of the rainy spring and the sun-drenched property where the garden resides, the garden is off to a great start.