Giving Gardens

Who are we?

Giving Gardens, founded in 2017, is a nonprofit based in White Bear Lake, MN that seeks to raise community awareness of local food insecurity and to build local sustainability through neighbors growing produce to be donated to neighbors in need of access to healthy food options. Giving Gardens benefits the White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf, Mahtomedi Food Shelf, Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, the White Bear Senior Program, and other local service organizations.

Our Mission:

Giving Gardens Mission is to increase access to fresh, local produce, and to inspire community action through:

• Placing raised bed gardens with volunteer/adopting hosts
• Creating neighbor-to-neighbor connections and community conversation
• Personal donations of the produce from our gardens
• Inspiring education of all people, with a specific interest in our children, the growers of tomorrow

Help us on our journey to becoming a fully operational four-season growing non-profit model that provides our neighbors with increased continuous access to fresh produce.

How does it work?

We provide, deliver, and assemble all of the material (garden bed structure, high-quality topsoil, and compost mix, and the seeds or seedlings) at the homes or locations of the parties wishing to adopt a Giving Garden from us! In addition, we provide all materials needed to start gardening FOR FREE! The only requirement for our adopting volunteers is that they donate 51% or more of the produce to one of our local food shelves, senior program, or other community support organizations that have a direct impact on serving those who may be experiencing food insecurity. (Pictured below is an example of a newly installed Giving Garden).

Our Success Story

Starting in the spring of 2017, Giving Gardens initiated operations with 50 raised bed gardens that were adopted by neighbors in the greater White Bear Lake Area, contributing to over 1000 lbs. of produce having been donated. By the end of 2020, Giving Gardens has been able to build over 250 garden beds with 158 different volunteers. These garden beds have been able to produce over 7500 POUNDS of fresh produce for the local food shelves in the White Bear Lake community. 

What are our Goals?

• 300 garden beds adopted and producing in volunteer homes.
• 3000+ pounds of fresh produce delivered to community service organizations.
• $20,000 fundraising in cash or like donations.
• Growing our partner network for dirt, seeds, wood, delivery, and assembly.

How to get involved:

Your donations go directly towards the purchase of garden beds, dirt, and seeds. Any amount helps us achieve our goals and continue making an impact in our community. Please support our mission by giving what you can to help us fund our operations. It costs Giving Gardens roughly $150 to fully supply and deliver a garden bed to a participating volunteer. Every single dollar counts and helps us change our community from within. We have no paid staff and operate solely on the kindness of those volunteering their time and funding our efforts through donations.