2017 Iowa Hunger Directory 2017 Edition | Page 104

Agape Garden DESCRIPTION CONTACT NAME Craig Crist EMAIL Agape Garden at Ankeny First United Methodist Church is an ecumenical faith garden that donates produce to the DMARC Food Warehouse, the Ankeny Food Pantry, Lutheran Church of Hope (North Branch in Ankeny), Bethel Mission in Des Moines, Door of Faith Mission in Des Moines, and Trinity Methodist Church in Des Moines. Volunteer gardeners do all of the gardening and delivery to area food pantries. [email protected] PHONE 515-577-8260 OFFICE ADDRESS In 2015, they produced and donated 22,000 lbs of fruit and vegetables and installed a deer-proof fence that increased yields to record levels. In 2014, their 12 tree orchard began to produce apples, pears and plums, and they began growing their own seedlings in a small green house.They are also building a 500 gallon rain barrel and irrigation project and are working on building a rain garden in the wetland portion of the garden. They have donated over 70,000 lbs of produce altogether. 7384 NW 16th Street Ankeny, IA 50023 TYPE OF WORK Faith Based, Community Based, Garden Program COUNTIES Polk Page | 103 HOW TO HELP Agape Garden is always in need of donations and volunteers to help plant, grow and harvest fruit and vegetables. During the growing season, volunteer gardeners gather on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 PM until dark and on Saturday mornings from 8 AM until noon. The garden is open to volunteers other hours upon request. Agape Garden is an ecumenical faith garden that welcomes collaboration with other churches. Interested people should contact Agape Garden directly to sign up to volunteer or to explore partnerships with their faith community.