How can you show love? While there are the physical aspects and emotional gestures, a recent legacy gift showed love not only to the Mission of Mary Cooperative, but to others who will benefit from them.

Earlier this year, Mission of Mary Cooperative, located in the Twin Towers neighborhood of Dayton’s inner eastside, received a $424,000 legacy gift from Theresa Steinbruegge’s estate. As a long-time supporter of the organization, she hoped the gift would help it grow.

“It was truly a miracle and we were very humbled by the generosity of Theresa,” said Michael Schulz, Executive Director of Mission of Mary Cooperative.

The organization partners with neighbors and others in the community to transform vacant lots in the Twin Towers neighborhood into land plots where vegetables can be grown to provide fresh produce year-round.

“Over the past six years we have built over 110 gardens for neighbors and educated them to grow their own food and be more self-sufficient and resilient,” said Schulz. “This, paired with growing and distributing 35 tons of produce annually through our food access programs, along with educating youth and adults on gardening, is part of our vision to create a local food system that improves the communities’ health profile.”

“Giving back to my community, volunteering and picking food with my family—I’m eating vegetables more than ever and eating healthier!” said Twin Towers resident Jennifer Mendiola.

“I love being able to grow from seed and feed what I grow to my family and neighbors,” said Twin Towers neighbor Kyeshela Law. “The community garden program allows me to plan and execute effortlessly.”

Steinbruegge’s legacy gift may have been a surprise to many, but not to those who knew the avid gardener and humanitarian.

“I had the pleasure of knowing Theresa for over 25 years,” said friend Stephen Renie. “She was modest and lived below her means so that she could take care of others later. She wanted to make a loving and lasting impact [for] the people and organizations that she cared about.”

“Theresa didn’t ask much of others but always gave her heart and soul to those she cared about,” added friend Patty Tatar. “Our world needs more Theresa’s, more kindness with a giving heart.”

“Theresa’s gentle and kind manner touched so many individuals,” said friend Meg Thomas. “You would often find a delightful vase of flowers adorning your porch, just waiting for you to notice. They were often accompanied by a plate of warm snickerdoodle cookies—her passions of gardening and baking, always wrapped in great kindness.”

It’s Steinbruegge’s kindness and love for helping others that will enable Mission of Mary to continue to grow. Schulz said her gift will be used to expand current programs and continue efforts supplying and educating Twin Towers neighbors to grow their own food.

“Healthy food should be available to all,” said Schulz. “Theresa’s support will bolster what our many donors, volunteers and partners have helped us build in the last decade.”

This article appeared in the December 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.