Solidarity Gardens launched in 2020 to address the increase in food insecurity caused by the pandemic. Started by Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office, Sola Gratia Farm, Urbana Park District, Channing Murray Foundation, and Urbana Free Library, we paired the efforts of gardeners who wanted a way to help with food distribution networks we were already working with. Through the dedication, energy, and giving spirit of many Champaign-Urbana volunteer gardeners, Solidarity Gardens helped to create over 5,000 square feet of new garden space and shared around a thousand pounds of fresh produce with the community. We developed a Tool Library to make gardening tools easier to access for learning gardeners, as well as supporting the institution of a Seed Exchange in the Urbana Free Library.

In the following years, we’ve expanded our garden network and programmatic support. As of 2024, our programs are:

• Affiliate Garden Network: This resource- and skill-sharing network brings community garden leaders from across Champaign-Urbana together to share ideas, tools, and resources, so their gardens can grow more food and more community.

• Free Plot Program: We support the most vulnerable members for our community in growing food for themselves with garden spaces and supplies.

• Home Gardener Donation Sites: Our 4 donation drop-off points are accessible by any local home or community gardener to donate excess produce, which we then share out through our distribution channels.

• Volunteer Program: We connect willing hands with gardens in need of help to grow and share food, building community capacity, growing skills, and connections between neighbors.

In our 2023 season, we:

• Distributed over 4,000 pounds of fresh vegetables

• Coordinated over 100 garden volunteers

• Supported 15 Affiliate Gardens with supplies, tools, resource access, technical support, and funding

• Placed 13 low-income and immigrant families with garden plots through our Free Plot Program

• Attended 17 community events.

Solidarity Gardens is a project of Cunningham Township, Channing Murray Foundation, Sola Gratia Farm, the Urbana Park District, and the Champaign Park District.

Other partners include Carle, University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois School of Social Work, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Four Osprey/Champaign-Urbana City Farms, Urbana Free Library, Champaign Park District, Urbana School District, McKinley Foundation, First Followers/City of Urbana, and Lierman Community Gardens.