Volunteers Marifrasier Carpenter, Jack McAuliffe and JoElla Tyree show off the produce harvested from Magnolia Community Garden ready for donation to a local food pantry.

Charleston Parks Conservancy's gardens generate a ton of produce for local food pantries

The Charleston Parks Conservancy donated a literal ton of produce to local food pantries in 2015. The community beds at each of the Conservancy's three community gardens are used for demonstration and classes. Volunteers help tend the beds and harvest the produce for donation. Last year, the community beds at Magnolia Community Garden, Elliotborough Community Garden and Medway Community Garden generated 2,039 pounds of produce for donation to local food pantries, such as Lowcountry Food Bank, One80 Place and James Island Outreach.

Volunteers are invited to join the Conservancy every Tuesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Magnolia Park and Community Garden in West Ashley for Gathering in the Garden. Volunteers are needed to help maintain the community beds by watering, weeding, planting, composting and harvesting.