Special to The Truth
Grace Community Center (GCC) will host its seventh Annual Harvest Festival with a weekend of special events on Oct. 9, 10 and 11, marking 57 years of dedicated, mission-driven service to our community, according to GCC Executive Director Elaine Tait-Page.
The mission of Grace Community Center is to foster the health and wellbeing of children, adults, and seniors through programs that promote food security, health parity, education, career-readiness, and quality senior living.
The core event of the weekend takes place on Sat., Oct. 10, from 1–5 p.m., and features Family Fun, Food, and a Celebration of our Shared Future. This event is free and open to the public.
The Harvest Festival began as a community celebration of GCC’s successes and sustained efforts to meet the unique needs of Toledo’s children, seniors, and families, “especially through promoting the health benefits of growing and consuming fruits and Vegetables,” according to Nathan McCain, GCC Transformation Officer.
“GCC’s gardens are built on simple truth: fresh, whole foods are the foundation of long, healthy lives,” McCain continued. As chronic illnesses rise, GCC is growing and sharing nutrient-rich produce that supports real wellbeing, he said. During this Harvest Festival, McCain invites the community to explore the GCC Urban Garden and see how fresh, natural foods can support longer, healthier lives for families across our community.
This year, the festival expands to include an opening reception. Stories of Impact: An Evening
Honoring Our Shared Community Impact, is a private event on Oct. 9th recognizing resilience, leadership, and the contributions of GCC families and supporters across Greater Toledo. The evening will highlight stories of impact and recognize partner organizations whose leadership and support empower GCC’s work.
A new feature, A Celebration of Faith & Family, will take place on Sun., Oct. 11, from 3–6 p.m. and is also free and open to the public.
“This inspirational fellowship is a time to celebrate our spiritual foundation, to a acknowledge the legacy of founding director Betty Amison-Lewis, and to welcome congregations from all denominations to join us in fellowship, unity, and shared purpose,” according to Director Tait-Page.
Fundraising initiatives essential to sustaining GCC’s outreach services will be highlighted throughout the weekend. Board Chairman Bryce Harbaugh noted that targeted appeals, donor packets, and other special efforts will be blended throughout the festival to support the continued growth and impact of GCC’s programs.
“GCC continues to fulfill its mission because of the dedicated work of our board, staff, volunteers, and the ongoing support of diverse individuals, groups, and community partners,” explained Elaine Tait-Page.
GCC mission partners include United Church of Christ congregations, United Way of Greater Toledo, the City of Toledo, the Lucas County Commissioners, Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the John Jr. Foundation, MLM Charitable Foundation, The Andersons, Inc., The Toledo Rotary Club, Toledo Museum of Art, Mercy Health, ProMedica, the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio, Connecting Kids to Meals, Harbor Behavioral Health, Pathways Inc.; PathStone, Toledo Grows, Ohio State University Extension, Foster Grandparents/Senior Centers Inc., YMCA, and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
“We are so proud that the title Sponsor for the 7th Annual Harvest Festival is The Lucas County Commission,” Tait-Page noted, adding “additional support is being provided by the Grace Board of Directors, Friendly Missionary Baptist Church, and The Sojourner’s Truth.”
Betty Amison-Lewis, age 83, founder and former executive director of Grace Community Center 43 years, passed away on June 11, 2026.
“We remain deeply grateful for her decades of leadership and service,” shared Harbaugh, GCC Board Chairman Amison-Lewis received special recognition in 2019 during GCC’s 50th anniversary celebration, and she will be greatly missed, he said.
All Harvest Festival events will take place at Grace Community Center, 406 W. Delaware Avenue in Toledo, OH (43610). For questions or more information, please call (419) 248-2467.