Growing Food, Growing Community: The 2025 Grow & Give Program at Reiman Gardens

This summer, Reiman Gardens’ Grow & Give program has been buzzing with activity — and thanks to our dedicated partners and volunteers, that buzz has translated into hundreds of hours of hands-on work fighting food insecurity in our community.

One of the season’s success stories is the Students Helping Eliminate Poverty and Hunger (SHEPH) group from Ames High School. These students have put in over 30 hours tending their Grow & Give Garden this summer, learning valuable skills while making a direct impact on local food pantries. Their commitment proves that even busy students can make a big difference when they dig in together.

Meanwhile, a group of LDS Missionaries has gone above and beyond. With 87 hours logged so far this season, they’ve not only cared for their own Grow & Give space but have also stepped in to help in other areas across the Gardens whenever needed — a testament to their generosity and teamwork.

And then there are our regular Grow & Give volunteers, the steady hands who keep this program running week in and week out. Between gleaning produce at the farmers’ market and ISU Horticulture Farm, weighing and sorting donations, and delivering fresh food to pantries on Mondays, they’ve contributed over 200 hours this summer alone.

Together, these partners and volunteers are turning garden beds into baskets of fresh produce for local families. Every weed pulled, seed planted, and tomato harvested moves us closer to a healthier, more food-secure Central Iowa.

The 2025 season isn’t over yet, but we’ve already donated 10,258 pounds of produce to 13 local food pantries! When our community comes together in the garden, we can grow far more than just plants.

For more about how to volunteer with Grow & Give at Reiman Gardens, visit reimangardens.com/volunteers.