Background
The “Giving Garden” 
was established in 2010 by the fall 2009 class of Wabash Valley Master Gardener interns. Their desire was to continue their gardening experience as a group in a way that would also benefit the community in which they lived. Nearly an acre of land was provided to the gardeners by the Wabash Valley Fair Association, and the dreams of the gardeners became a reality in the spring of 2010 with the birth of the Giving Garden.
Purpose
The Giving Garden was established primarily to provide fresh vegetables to area soup kitchens. There is no monetary charge to any of the recipients for the food. The Giving Garden has also served as a demonstration garden and provided a learning experience for the many groups who have toured the garden.
What We Grow
Master Gardeners grow a wide variety of vegetables in the Giving Garden. Examples of our primary vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, melons, okra, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, zucchini as well as spinach and a variety of other greens.
Production
Since 2011, the Giving Garden has consistently produced 10,000-11,000 pounds of food every year. This is planted, cultivated and harvested entirely by the WVMGA volunteers who work every week to maintain the plants, pull the weeds and pick the produce.
Recipients
We are proud of our partnerships with many local organizations who are recipients of our produce. They include:
Lighthouse Mission (www.thlhm.org)
Families by Choice (also serves Reach Services and United Campus Ministries Food Pantry) (www.familiesbychoice.org)
New Life Fellowship Food Pantry (Seelyville) (www.newlifeterrehaute.org)
Free Life Community Food Pantry (www.freelifecc.com)
House of Hope (Brazil) (www.mama.indstate.edu)
Clay County Food Pantry (www.foodpantries.org)
14th and CCC Food Pantry (www.14thandchestnut.weebly.org)
Salvaged Lives (formerly Freebirds) (www.freebirdsrecovery.wordpress.com)
Providence Food Pantry (West Terre Haute) (www.spsmw.org)
Next Step (www.nextsteptoday.org)
Clinton First Christian Church (www.clintonfcc.com)
Clinton United Presbyterian Church (www.clintonupchurch.weebly.com)
St. Pat’s Soup Kitchen
1807 Poplar St
Terre Haute, IN 47803-2150
Phone: (812) 232-8518
St. Ben’s Soup Kitchen
Pantry address: 111 S 9th St
Terre Haute, IN 47807-3712
Phone: (812) 232-8421
