Nashville Community Garden Revival

The Story

Three years ago, the corner of 5th and Woodland was nothing but cracked concrete and weeds. Then Maria Torres, a retired teacher, had an idea. What if this forgotten space could feed her neighbors?

With just a handful of volunteers and donated seeds, the East Nashville Community Garden was born. Last year, it produced over 2,000 pounds of fresh vegetables for families who needed it most.

But this winter, a burst pipe flooded the tool shed. Equipment was destroyed. The raised beds need rebuilding. And the irrigation system that took two years to install is beyond repair.

Maria is 71 years old. She still shows up every morning at 6am. She says the garden gave her neighborhood something money cannot buy: a reason to talk to each other again.

Your pennies will help us rebuild. $100 replaces the tools. $500 fixes the irrigation. $2,000 means 50 families eat fresh vegetables this summer instead of processed food from the corner store.

Every penny literally goes into the ground.