Tami Halle, Director of the Giving Garden Project
The Giving Garden began with a journey—and a realization. While visiting villages in Africa, two Laguna Woods gardeners were deeply moved by how communities, despite having very little, cared for one another with open hands and open hearts. Upon returning home, they began to reflect on the needs within their own community.
What they discovered was eye-opening: according to the census, 21% of Laguna Woods residents live below the poverty line. They also saw that many of the people who care for the community—groundskeepers, aides, custodians, and support staff—were often those facing the greatest need.
And so, a seed of compassion was planted.
Today, that seed has blossomed into something extraordinary. Through the generosity of gardeners from Garden Centers 1 and 2, and with special support from the Giving Garden, an abundance of fresh produce is lovingly grown and donated year-round. These fruits and vegetables are shared with local organizations and individuals who need them most, embodying the very spirit of giving that first inspired this mission.
This is more than gardening. It’s a growing movement of kindness, rooted in empathy and blooming with purpose.
🌿 A Garden With Purpose
At Garden Center 1, a steep and uneven plot once deemed unusable was transformed into something extraordinary. With the help of volunteers, the land was leveled, prepared, and sown with seeds generously donated by partnering seed companies.
Today, this revitalized space is called The Giving Garden—a community-driven project with a mission to grow fresh, healthy produce for those who need it most.
🤝 Giving Every Friday
Each week, on Fridays, volunteers gather to harvest fruits and vegetables from the garden. The produce is then donated through the local food bank and distributed to low-income residents and workers in the community.
It’s a simple act—rooted in kindness, grown with purpose, and harvested with love.
🌱 Still Growing
The Giving Garden is still a work in progress. But every tomato, every leafy green, and every act of care brings us one step closer to a more generous, connected village.
Whether you’re a gardener, a volunteer, or a supporter, there’s always a way to help make a difference.