Because of generous donors who choose to invest in their community through the Community Foundation of Shelby County, more local families will have access to fresh, healthy food throughout the year.

A grant of $6,985 recently helped The People’s Garden at Agape Distribution purchase and install its first-ever greenhouse. While the garden has long provided fresh vegetables and salad ingredients to individuals and families served by Agape Distribution’s food pantry, the growing season was limited by Ohio’s weather.

Thanks to donor support, that has changed.

The new 16′ x 12′ greenhouse allows volunteers to extend the growing season and provide fresh produce during colder months when access to healthy food can be more difficult. Instead of ending with the first frost, the garden can now continue growing nutritious vegetables and salad items well beyond the traditional season.

Your generosity is doing more than growing food—it is creating opportunities for families to enjoy healthier meals and experience fresh produce they may not otherwise have access to. The garden introduces pantry visitors to a wider variety of nutritious foods while helping stretch household food budgets.

What makes this impact even more remarkable is that The People’s Garden is operated entirely by volunteers. Community members donate their time and talents to plant, maintain, and harvest the crops that help feed their neighbors. The greenhouse gives these dedicated volunteers the tools they need to serve more people for a longer period of time each year.

Every charitable gift made through the Community Foundation represents an investment in local solutions. In this case, donor generosity is helping ensure that families facing food insecurity have greater access to fresh produce, regardless of the season.

The gratitude expressed by pantry visitors is a direct reflection of your impact. Through your support, fresh food is reaching tables, healthy choices are becoming more accessible, and hope is growing—one harvest at a time.

Thank you for making a lasting difference in the lives of your neighbors.