Giles Community Garden

The Giles Community Garden was founded in 2014 for one simple purpose: "Feed My Sheep" by helping our low and no-income neighbors who live near the garden in Pearisburg with getting free, fresh vegetables. This mission soon expanded to include educational and community-building programing all centered around healthy food grown in the garden. 

Teaching Kids to Grow Great Food

In summer 2026, we are on track for six weeks of children's Summer Camp with 20+ campers aged 5-12. Our campers will receive gardening instruction, food education, food preparation, a nourishing meal, physical activities, no electronic devices, and cultivating new friendships with positive adult role models.  Through our excellent partnerships with Carilion Clinic and Virginia Cooperative Extension, our programming will continue to excel and enrich our children's learning. Our pre/post surveys confirm that the children and parents are delighted, entertained and educated by our structure, activities and overall approach.

NRV Thrive

Throughout our 13 years, we have developed many partnerships with our community and the NRV, including helping to build NRV Thrive, the food access network for the NRV. Because of these partnerships, we are able distribute food every month of the year to programs and families throughout Giles County. In 2025 we delivered over 61,000 pounds of fresh produce to six regular locations, feeding thousands. In the last three years, we have distributed over 175,000 pounds of food across our county..

Support Our Summer Camp Program

Recently we have lost a portion for the funding that supports our Summer Camp. This program provides hands-on learning in the garden - planting, tending, and harvesting crops. It extends to the kitchen, where participants prepare and taste food they have grown. It is a place where children are inspired to make healthy choices and develop lifelong habits of well-being. The Garden remains committed to being a beacon of hope in our community, nurturing the minds, souls and spirits of both youth and adults.   

We kindly ask you to consider supporting our work to support our Summer Camp that begins June 10th. Our goal is to raise $2,000 to assist with programming and scholarships. 

• $50 sponsorship covers one child's participation in all six weeks of summer camp
• $300 covers all arts, crafts and music supplies
• $500 helps cover the cost of soil, compost, mulch + seeds and planting supplies
• $1,000+ supports the garden and its outreach efforts throughout the year. 

Whether through a financial contribution or a gift of your time, your support makes a meaningful difference.

Our Summer Camp is administered in partnership with VA Cooperative Extension and supported by Carilion Clinic.  As a program of the Lions District 24-C Charity, Inc., we are a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, and all donations are tax deductible.