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Garden Raised Bounty (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Garden Raised Bounty installed 21 home gardens throughout Thurston County, giving the recipients access to healthy food and community connections. The organization adapted half of the gardens to meet accessibility needs and customized all of the gardens for specific recipients. Garden Raised Bounty also provided growing guides, online tutorials, seeds or starter plants, recipes and one-on-one support to ensure each garden's success. Its goal was to increase food security and provide for the mental and physical well-being of its recipients, many of whom reported the project had a positive impact on their communities and lives.
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See More Projects Like This One
Atlanta, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Using donated recycled and salvaged lumber, the Lifecycle Building Center built 14 Little Free Pantries and 10 garden beds. The Center used the fabrication work to demonstrate how the construction industry can help strengthen communities by prioritizing the reuse of materials. Mounted at chest height for easy access and placed in public areas, the pantries allow community members experiencing food insecurity to collect items as needed. Local nonprofit Friends of Refugees stocked the pantries with 1,000 pounds of food. The raised-bed planters went to the homes of refugee gardeners.
Cusick, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The tribe will create a Medicine Wheel Garden near the Elder Center featuring native plants, seating and shaded space. Elders will have easier access to culturally important plants and enjoy a peaceful outdoor gathering area.
Shawnee, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The community market will revitalize its garden with raised beds, accessible paths and native landscaping. The garden will offer a peaceful place for adults age 50-plus to grow fresh produce, stay active and connect with others.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Olympia, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Resilience Other
Description: The city will launch a pilot program providing portable heat pumps and air filters to low-income homebound older adults. The project will reduce health risks from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, and provide education on heat- and air-quality safety.
Lakebay, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: An outdoor community space will be enhanced with accessible paths, seating and gardens. The space will support gentle activity, food growing and social connection for adults age 50-plus.
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