Our Garden
At The Garden Community Church garden, our mission goes beyond
plants; it's about fostering relationships, promoting food security,
enhancing community involvement, and caring for the creation that was entrusted to us by cultivating an organic garden.
Join us on this journey of growth, sustainability and compassion.
Our Story
Our journey goes back to spring of 2010 when The University
Church relocated to a new home situated on eight acres of land
located on the south side of Hill Avenue in Toledo, our intention
was to utilize the land we had available for the good of the
community. So we initiated a program to develop a community
garden on the property. We welcomed residents from across
the Toledo area and offered garden plots free of charge for
individuals and families to grow their crops including fruits and
vegetables. Over the years we expanded to also grow in some of
our fields to share with our community. Today in 2026 we are
now The Garden Community Church and there are three main
goals for the garden: Growing Food... Growing Awareness...
Growing Compassion…
Growing Food
In challenging economic times, many families struggle to put food on the table—especially fresh fruits and vegetables, which are often too expensive or hard to access. This lack of access can lead to nutritional issues, particularly for children. At our garden, we grow a variety of fruits and vegetables and distribute them to support those in need. We also provide space for community members to grow their own crops, empowering them to take part in growing healthy food for their households.
Growing Awareness
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 24.7% of Toledo residents live at or below the federal poverty level. Yet many are unaware of the daily challenges their neighbors face. By maintaining a visible presence and actively working to address hunger, poverty and isolation, we strive to raise awareness about these urgent issues and inspire greater community involvement and empathy.
Growing Compassion
It is our experience that when people become involved in helping others, compassion naturally grows and lives are changed. Our goal is to nurture a spirit of compassion within our community and to share that compassion throughout our city and beyond.