By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

BELLE RIVE — Deborah Aydt knows what it is to go without, but decided years ago that she could do something to make sure seniors and the disabled didn’t go hungry.

That’s when she and her husband Duane began creating their “recycle” garden they have named “Our Giving Hands Garden.”

“It doesn’t make much sense for elders to go hungry,” Deborah Aydt said. “We started the garden two years ago, but we bought food for the elderly for years. We aren’t rich, we’re both on disability, but we do what we can do.”

Aydt and her husband are both cancer survivors, and Duane Aydt undergoes dialysis three times a week. Deborah Aydt, who survived breast cancer, is now fighting another cancer.

“I’m not going to let my health issues stop me,” Deborah Aydt declared. Last year the couple delivered more than 3,000 pounds of vegetables to older citizens throughout Jefferson County.

“A lot of the elderly out there have no one,” Aydt said. “We have some that are 90 or 94 years old. We call and let them know I’m coming, and when we get there, there are people lined up to get the food. There are a lot of disabled people out there who can’t get out of their homes to go to the store or the Farmer’s market. That’s why we come to them.”

Aydt said she was raised in an orphanage in St. Louis and lived in 14 foster homes. “I know what it’s like not to have things,” Aydt said. “That’s why I want to make sure they have what they need.”

Duane Aydt grew up on a farm, and said he always enjoyed gardening and farming.

“We had several elderly around our area, and we always dropped by and took them produce,” Aydt said. “We took care of our neighbors and everyone looked out for them.”

But, that community feeling of responsibility has changed over the years, and Deborah Aydt said she realized the depth of the problem one day at the grocery store.

“I was in the store shopping and saw an old lady steal a can of tuna and put it in her purse,” Aydt said. “I’ve always been in nursing, geriatric care and I know some of the elderly get only $300 or $400 a month. There are really no programs for them. Some qualify for $20 a month in food stamps. That’s not enough for them to eat. Many have to decide if they will pay for their medication or their food.”

With a home located on 10 acres, with sloping land perfect for drain-off, the couple decided to start looking at ways to grow additional food. They also wanted to keep costs low and, if possible, use recycled materials.

“People laugh when I tell them I have a recycled garden, but that’s what it is,” Aydt said. “There’s some cost to set it up the first year, but after that, everything’s ready.”

The Aydt’s till the land they want to use for the garden, roll out landscaping fabric — which was donated to them — then decide where they want to set out the plant. They cut holes in the fabric and place used tires around the planting area, then transplant the vegetable plants in the hole. Each fall, the plants are taken out of the garden and in the spring, new plants are placed in the same spots.

“Since we started, we’ve had several donations from smaller businesses and just regular people,” Aydt said. “It’s been amazing.”

An unassembled green house was left on their step one day, a five-row tiller to go behind a lawn tractor was left another time. Small businesses have donated crates, and plants have been donated over the years. At this time, the couple are in need of a refrigerator, but say they know God will provide.

“Our lawn tractor needed repair and then we had one donated,” Aydt said. “We know something will come through for the refrigerator. We use it to store the vegetables until we deliver them so they don’t spoil. So we’re on the lookout. The people that have donated have been amazing.”

Today at noon, Dale’s Harley Davidson will be giving the couple a donation to use in their program. The business has also donated used tires for the garden in the past, Aydt said.

“The important thing for people to remember is they should adopt an elder,” Aydt said. “Just check on them, make sure they have enough to eat. These are people who are not going to tell you they’re hungry, you have to ask. Sometimes I find out about someone and take some vegetables by and tell them I have too many and I don’t want them to spoil. It’s how you go about it, but we all need to look out for one another.”

Additional information about Our Giving Hands Garden is available by calling 214-5160.