Growing for Good
Internal Medicine resident at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education donates heaps of home-grown produce to Friends of the Poor
Ann Pelicci and her son, Dr. Enrico Pelicci, an internal medicine resident physician at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, stand in their garden in Waverly Township. Each summer, he and his mother grow an array of produce, from broccoli to zucchini, much of it grown from seed.
What started as a few rows of corn and a dream has become an annual labor of love that feeds hundreds of needy people across the region.
A modest initiative confined to a small patch of land when it began in 2014, Dr. Enrico Pelicci now plants an array of produce – from broccoli to zucchini, much of it grown from seed – in a 5,000-square-foot garden with an electrified fence, raised beds, and a watering system on his family’s 115-acre farm in Waverly Township, Pennsylvania. Since 2015, Dr. Pelicci and his mother, Ann, have donated over 1,000 pounds of produce to Friends of the Poor’s Jackson Terrace Food Pantry in Scranton.
In addition to the property’s history as a farm, Dr. Pelicci drew inspiration for his project from one of his University of Scranton professors, Michael Hardisky, Ph.D., a longtime biology professor known for his interest in plants.
“Everyone knows him as the plant guy, and his advice on this project has been invaluable,” Dr. Pelicci said.
Dr. Pelicci’s journey to becoming a doctor and his passion for growing vegetables stem from a deep desire to help others. After earning his degree from the University of Scranton in 2017, he pursued medical studies at the American University of the Caribbean. While initially considering a career in neurology, he ultimately found that The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education and its Internal Medicine Residency Program aligned better with his goals. His journey, from a student with a dream to a resident making a tangible difference, is a source of inspiration for the community.
“I really like what The Wright Center stands for,” he said. “My Jesuit background at the University of Scranton dovetails well with what The Wright Center is doing. Both are focused on helping people, improving lives, and dedicating yourself to service.”
His garden has come a long way since he began planting corn a decade ago. He’s branched out into other crops as he’s learned more about battling the elements and the hungry rabbits, gophers, and other wild animals. This year, he planted corn in the upper half of the plot and pumpkins in the lower corner. In between, he planted raised beds full of broccoli, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and more.
“Last year, we tried planting potatoes and it ended up being very successful,” he said, as his mother nodded in agreement. “So we did it again this year.” Each growing season brings new lessons in battling the elements and the wildlife who see the garden as their own personal snack bar. Last year, a major storm midway through the summer wiped out much of his and his mother’s work, leaving them scrambling to replant.
A Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine resident physician has donated more than 125 pounds of fruits and vegetables to the Friends of the Poor’s Jackson Terrace Pantry. Participating in a recent donation, from left, are Dr. Enrico Pelicci, an internal medicine resident at The Wright Center; his mother, Ann Pelicci; Friends of the Poor’s Jackson Terrace Pantry supervisor Ingrid Husisian, and pantry volunteer Paul Przywara.
This summer’s battle involved incredibly persistent moles, who nested beneath the weed barrier in the cornfield and ate the seed corn and any young plants that managed to grow. He replanted the corn several times early in the season, but the moles’ appetite proved insatiable. These challenges, though daunting, only strengthen their resolve to continue their philanthropic efforts.
“I was so confused,” Dr. Pelicci said as he showed off his garden’s progress in mid-July. “I couldn’t figure out why the corn wasn’t sprouting. And now it’s too late to replant again, so I guess they won this year.”
The moles also damaged the green beans, but the rest of the garden has been wildly successful. So far this season, Dr. Pelicci has donated more than 125 pounds of produce to the pantry. He will continue making donations through the end of summer. Dr. Hardisky, his old college professor, connected him to Friends of the Poor when the Pelicci garden produced more than the family could possibly eat.
“We are so fortunate to receive donations like this from the community,” said Ingrid Husisian, the Jackson Terrace Pantry supervisor. “Every little bit helps – and it’s delicious.”
As Dr. Pelicci and his mother walked up the sidewalk to the busy food pantry one sunny morning in mid-August, employees greeted him enthusiastically. After weighing the bags of deep-green zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and more – about 23 pounds total – Dr. Pelicci heaped them onto a stainless steel table. Eventually, the produce would be sorted by staffers and packed into food boxes for the pantry’s clients.
“Farming is backbreaking work, but when we drop off what we’ve grown at Friends of the Poor, people are so grateful,” Dr. Pelicci said. “It’s gratifying to see how much it’s enjoyed.”
