Who We Are
Cultivating Food, Community, & Care
OUR MISSION: Located in North Andover, Massachusetts, we address local food insecurity by bringing together diverse communities of volunteers and guiding them in sustainable, organic farming practices.
FOOD
Fresh, nutritious food is essential to health and dignity. We believe everyone in our community should have access to locally grown produce that nourishes both body and mind.
Our Story
The Giving Garden began in 2015 with a simple idea: that fresh, healthy food should be accessible to everyone in our community. What started as a small volunteer effort has grown into a thriving community garden supported by hundreds of volunteers each season.
Located in North Andover, we grow fruits and vegetables using regenerative gardening practices that care for the soil while producing high-quality food for donation. Each season, seeds planted by volunteers become thousands of pounds of fresh produce delivered directly to local food pantries, such as Neighbors in Need, People’s Pantry, and Lazarus House, serving families throughout the Greater Lawrence area.
Today, The Giving Garden is more than just a place to grow food—it is a place where people come together, learn from one another, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
What We Believe
COMMUNITY
We believe meaningful change happens when people come together. The garden is a shared space where volunteers, partners, and neighbors work side by side to support one another.
Community Partners
Interested in joining us? Reach out and let us know!
Our Why
CARE
Care shows up in how we grow, how we give, and how we treat each other. From tending the soil to serving families in need, we approach every step with intention, respect, and heart.
We are proud to work alongside schools, companies, and organizations who volunteer their time and energy in the garden, including:
Join us in something that matters…
Food insecurity exists in our own community, often closer than many people realize. At the same time, fresh, nutritious produce is one of the hardest types of food for families to access through traditional food assistance programs. The Giving Garden exists to help close that gap by growing food locally, distributing it quickly, and ensuring it reaches families in a way that is fresh, dignified, and nourishing.
Every volunteer, every harvest, and every season helps move us closer to a healthier, more connected community.
Meet the Team
SUMMER INTERNS
Michela Rowland, Grace Jungman, Lucy Henderson, & Sarah Clement
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Rev. Lawrence Jay - Interim Board Chair
Fran Fink, Kim Hearst, Thomas Jordan, Christina Minicucci, Rev. Dana Allen Walsh
STAFF
Emily Strong (Farm Manager), Tamara Holland (Assistant Farm Manager), Stephanie Cross (Education Director), Lauren Flaherty (Communications & Administrative Coordinator)
ADVISORY BOARD
Mark Aude, Jen Cordes (The People’s Pantry), Stephen Cortner, Melinda Taranto Garnis, Amy Joyall, Kim Maggio, Lisa Sith (Neighbors in Need), Elaine Ward