Doris Theon Hardy Resilience Garden

Through The Doris Theon Hardy Resilience Garden, we are transforming shared space into a place for fresh food, hands-on learning, and community connection.

East Kinston is recognized as a food desert, meaning that residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Our garden helps address those barriers by bringing food production directly into the neighborhood and giving residents opportunities to participate in growing the food that nourishes our community.

More than a garden, it is an outdoor classroom and community gathering space. Young people learn about agriculture, food justice, environmental stewardship, nutrition, and leadership while gaining hands-on experience from planting a seed to harvesting a crop. Through intergenerational gardening, youth and older residents are also able to exchange knowledge, stories, and traditions.

Produce grown in the garden helps support our broader food-access efforts, including Sunday Dinner, creating a direct connection between what we grow and how we serve our neighbors.

What to Expect:

Community Bonding: Sunday Dinner is more than just a meal; it's an opportunity to connect with your neighbors, make new friends, and strengthen our community ties. These events are attended by community members from all walks of life, and every corner of our city.
Family-Friendly Activities: Each dinner offers something for everyone—with activities ranging from arts and crafts for kids, board games, or healthy cooking demonstrations!
Resource Sharing: Learn about local resources, programs, and services available to support you and your family. Some of the resources we have offered include: a mobile grocery store, Medicaid enrollment from Healthy Blue, vaccinations and immunizations, parent support programs, and more.

Additional Support

In addition to financial sponsorship, we welcome contributions of food, serving supplies, or volunteer support. Your support will help us continue providing nourishing meals and fostering a sense of community in East Kinston. You can also click these links to find a preferred donation list, as well as our Amazon Wishlist. By supporting these events, you are investing in the well-being and unity of our community. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, helping us create a stronger and more resilient East Kinston.

Click here to donate to our Sunday Dinner program!

Click here to sign up to volunteer!