Coming Up on 15 Years of Serving Dinners

Over the past 15 years, we have hosted hundreds of Katie’s Krops Dinners. Looking back, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. At just 12 years old, I could never have imagined that a single cabbage would grow into an initiative that provides free, healthy meals to thousands in our community.

More than 14 years ago, a need presented itself in my community. Families and individuals facing hunger had lost access to hot, healthy, free meals when the only soup kitchen in our area was forced to close for financial reasons. I may have been only twelve, but I recognized that our local Katie’s Krops Gardens could be the solution.

What was that solution? Using the harvest from our gardens, we could create nutritious, hot meals for anyone in need in my hometown of Summerville, South Carolina. Up until that point, we had always donated our harvest to food pantries, soup kitchens, and directly to families in need, but we had never cooked with it ourselves. I approached the head of Food Services at my school, Mr. McNeill, and my 6th-grade science teacher, Cory Miller, and together we created a plan. We would craft a meal based on what we grew, purchasing what we couldn’t cultivate. Our garden volunteers would help us prepare the dinner. And just like that, the very first Katie’s Krops Dinner was born.

What started as a small effort has flourished into something truly special. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, we have grown into a vital service, now preparing and sharing meals from the Fellowship Hall of Summerville Baptist. As we approach our 15th anniversary, I am deeply grateful for this journey and the incredible impact we have made together.

I don’t ever want to take for granted how blessed I am to have found my path at such an early age. None of this would have been possible without the support of my neighbors, friends, and even complete strangers—people who believed that a young girl could make a big impact. Their faith in me shaped this journey, and now I have the privilege of paying that belief forward to kids across the country, empowering them to create change in their communities.

Every meal we serve is made from scratch, with love and care. We don’t just open cans or reheat food—we create fresh, nutritious meals using produce grown in our very own Katie’s Krops gardens. The winter months bring challenges, especially after the recent winter storm, which has left us with limited fresh produce. Yet, our commitment never wavers. We remain dedicated to serving high-quality meals because we know how much they mean to those who receive them.

Today, we prepare an incredible 700 meals per dinner—a feat made possible only through the kindness and dedication of our volunteers and supporters. The Katie’s Krops Dinners are a testament to the power of community, compassion, and teamwork. Every meal we serve is more than just nourishment; it is a symbol of hope and generosity, a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together.

As we approach 15 years of dinner service, my heart is full of gratitude for every person who has played a part in this journey. Thank you for believing in a 12-year-old girl’s dream. Your support has made this possible, and I am forever thankful. I look forward to many more years of growing, serving, and spreading kindness—one meal at a time.

Reflections

Growing up, dinner was more than just a meal—it was a cornerstone of family life. Every evening, we gathered around the table, transforming it into a space for connection, reflection, and growth. These moments, shared over food, instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and ignited my curiosity about the world beyond our home.

We talked about everything at the dinner table. From the highs and lows of our school day to the pressing issues in our community, no topic was off-limits. My parents encouraged open conversations, fostering a sense of awareness and responsibility in my siblings and me. One recurring theme was gratitude. We often spoke about how fortunate we were to have food on the table each night and how not everyone in our community had a meal on their table at night. These conversations planted the seeds of empathy and a desire to serve.

When I was eight, our community faced a major drought—a crisis that was impossible to ignore. I still remember the dinner conversation where we discussed the drought and the ways we could conserve water as a family. My curiosity was piqued, and my mom took it a step further by bringing me to Lake Moultrie to see the drought’s impact firsthand. Walking onto the dry lakebed, surrounded by tree stumps and cracks in the earth, was a moment I’ll never forget. It was one thing to talk about the drought, but witnessing it transformed my understanding of its severity. That combination of dinner table discussion and real-world experience made me want to take action.

One of my earliest initiatives was creating a toothbrush that taught kids to conserve water with the help of Dr. Fresh. It might seem like a small step, but for me, it was a tangible way to make a difference. Looking back, I can see how those conversations around the dinner table gave me the confidence and motivation to pursue creative solutions to real-world problems.

Then came the cabbage. When I was in third grade, I grew a 40-pound cabbage as part of the Bonnie Plants Third-Grade Cabbage Program. Once again, the dinner table became the setting for another pivotal conversation. We talked about what to do with the cabbage, and reflecting on my dad’s word of gratitude for the food we had the idea of donating it to a local soup kitchen emerged. That decision was life-changing. It wasn’t just about the cabbage; it was about recognizing the impact one small action could have on someone’s life. That moment ultimately led me to start Katie’s Krops, a nonprofit that has helped feed thousands of people through youth-led gardens.

The nightly conversations around our dinner table shaped who I am today. My parents didn’t just teach us to talk about issues; they taught us to act on them. They showed me the importance of listening, learning, and serving others—values that continue to guide me in everything I do.

For parents reading this, know that those small, consistent moments around the dinner table can have a profound impact. Encourage your kids to share, to ask questions, and to dream big. You never know which conversation might spark a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place.

Reflecting on my journey, I’m deeply grateful for the lessons learned at our family table. It wasn’t just a place for meals but the foundation for a life of service, curiosity, and gratitude. I am so excited for the day I am able to turn my own dinner table into a place for my children to share their hopes and dreams and foster meaningful conversations about our world.

Celebrating Ten Years of Katie’s Krops Garden-To-Table Dinners

I was in the sixth grade when it all began. My mom and I pulled up to The Palmetto House, our town’s only homeless shelter and full-time soup kitchen. We had made countless visits to the shelter to deliver produce from our gardens to support their efforts. This time a small group greeted us with somber faces gathered around a locked front door with a handwritten sign on the front door informing visitors that The Palmetto House was closed permanently. My heart sank.

It was at that moment that I knew I had to find a solution, a way to provide healthy free meals to individuals struggling with food insecurity in my hometown. We started the Katie’s Krops Garden-to-Table Dinner, a youth-based initiative to have children grow fruits and vegetables and use the harvest to create healthy meals to share with the community.

The Katie’s Krops Dinners quickly became one of my favorite parts of the work I was doing. The guests became my second family. We shared joy and heartache. Births and, sadly, deaths as well. We rejoiced in graduations and new jobs. It has been an incredible ten years, and I am so incredibly proud of what we have created.

On Thursday, October 29th, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Katie’s Krops Dinner. This will be a celebration, unlike any before. With COVID still ever-present in our lives, we will host a ‘Drive-Thru Celebration.’ We are working to make this event extra unique and would love your support.

We are seeking the following sponsors:

~ A Beverage Sponsor- $450 or beverages for 650 guests

~A Soup Sponsor- $300 for us to make and share 150 to 200 containers of delicious garden fresh soup.

~A Dessert Sponsor- $300

~A Gift Bag Sponsor- $400 to support a giveaway for each family

If you would like to support our efforts please contact Katie@KatiesKrops.com. Here is to another ten amazing years!

The phone call that helped us feed over 1,000 people

I want to share the very best story that shows the power of how one person, one phone call, can make a huge difference. Ms. Barb has been an avid couponer and Katie’s Krops supporter for as long as I can remember. During the pandemic, she and her husband have helped us tremendously.

A few weeks ago, she called Barilla and asked if they would be willing to share a few coupons for her to purchase some of the items we need to continue serving our weekly to-go dinners. After having a conversation about our efforts to feed our community in the wake of COVID-19, they agreed to help. Barilla sent coupons for 200 boxes of pasta and 200 jars of their amazing Vero Gusto sauce made in Parma, Italy. The coupons were not for 50 cents off or even a dollar. The coupons were for the FULL PRICE of the products make the 400 items FREE!

Last night we hosted our first Barilla dinner and fed 400 people. Words cannot express how grateful I am to Barb Janney and Barilla. Every week I think, how much longer will we be able to host a weekly dinner, and every week we are blessed by a wonderful supporter. So is there anyone else out there wants to call one of their favorite companies 😉

A grand adventure to say ‘Thank You’ to those who have stepped up to serve in difficult times

I have been on a grand adventure to spread cheer and gratitude in the past few weeks thanks to the Beekman 1802 Boys.

When the world shut down my plans to visit the Beekman Farm this month to grow and expand the Katie’s Krops mission to their community came to a halt. Although the trip was put on hold, they generously shared their amazing products with me, so I decided, with their help, I was going to thank those in my community who stepped up to serve while the world shut down. It has been a fantastic couple of weeks sharing Beekman 1802 lotion, spring body wash, and goat milk makeup wipes. From our Katie’s Krops volunteers to essential workers at the post office and grocery store, teachers, to those keeping our homeless shelters and food pantries running, to people who shared their stimulus checks with us to fund a Katie’s Krops to-go Dinners, I thanked them and let them know how much they are appreciated. The best part, I am not done yet! I have had the best time spreading cheer in these challenging times! We could all use a few extra smiles these days.

Thank you to my new friends at Beekman 1802! If you have not tried their amazing products yet, you have no idea what you are missing! Be sure to visit their website and learn about their story and what they have done to cultivate a beautiful life and product line. https://beekman1802.com/

Crops For Change: Volunteers Grow Gardens Nationwide To Feed Hungry Families Amidst Coronavirus

DAILY POINT OF LIGHT # 6780 | MAY 20, 2020 |

The average grocery store cabbage weighs a couple of pounds. So when Katie Stagliano grew a 40-pound cabbage in her home garden as a 3rd grader, she knew she had to share the bountiful crop. 275 people fed later at a local soup kitchen, the now 21-year-old Summerville, South Carolina resident says she realized the power of her harvest.

“I brought home this cabbage seedling as part of a school project, and planted it in our backyard, watering and weeding around it every day. Once it grew into a 40-pound cabbage, we knew it was far too big for just my family. It really opened my eyes to hunger. If one cabbage can feed 275 people, imagine how many people an entire garden could feed. That was the inspiration for my volunteerism. I wanted to help feed people in need.”

Launching Katie’s Krops in 2008 with the idea that “it only takes a seedling”, Katie, who serves as founder and chief executive gardener, has inspired hundreds of other gardeners, growing to include vegetable gardens of all sizes in 30 states across the country. Katie’s Krops “Growers”, aged 9-16 from California to Washington to Texas, run gardens in their backyards, school yards, and anywhere they can get permission to grow produce, their healthy harvests donated to help food insecure individuals and families. In total, Katie says 250,000-pounds of produce have been donated since 2008, not just feeding hungry mouths, but also changing the future for thousands of people in the U.S., says Katie’s Krops Grower Ian McKenna, a 15-year-old volunteer from Austin, Texas.

“Katie’s Krops has helped many, many, many people. I’ve grown thousands of pounds of produce to donate to people who are struggling with food insecurity. The food I am bringing them helps in more ways than just feeding them. If a kid receives our food, it helps them with school because I know if I’m at school and I haven’t eaten for awhile, I have trouble focusing. That, by extension, is helping their future.”

Katie Stagliano Daily Point of Light Award Honoree
AS A THIRD-GRADER, KATIE STAGLIANO GREW A 40-POUND CABBAGE IN HER HOME GARDEN, HER DREAM OF GROWING A HEALTHY END TO HUNGER, ONE VEGETABLE GARDEN AT A TIME, STARTING WITH JUST ONE SEEDLING. /COURTESY KATIE STAGLIANO
Feeding some of the more than one in ten U.S. households that experienced food insecurity in 2018 with fresh vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, okra and more, Katie says that her dream of growing a healthy end to hunger, one vegetable garden at a time, is slowly becoming a reality.

“When I first began this service, I wasn’t really aware of the issue of hunger, food insecurity and how it affects families. People who have lost their jobs are dealing with medical bills and are worried about putting food on the table. (Katie’s Krops) has opened up my eyes to not only the problems the world is facing but also the amazing people who are passionate about making a difference and the changes we are able to make.”

Those changes are far reaching and yet personal for Katie, who is able to interact with recipients of her fresh vegetables.

Katie Stagliano Daily Point of Light Award Honoree
KATIE’S KROPS IS CONTINUING TO SERVE HUNGRY FAMILIES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, DISTRIBUTING 2,000 HEALTHY MEALS THUS FAR THROUGH WEEKLY DRIVE-UPS./COURTESY KATIE STAGLIANO

“I met a little girl at an event we hosted at a vacation bible school. The little girl raised her hand and said she didn’t have any questions for me, she just wanted to tell me that I was awesome. She walked up to me with a sticker that said “love” on it, and she gave me a hug and put the sticker on my heart. After all the kids left the room one of the counselors explained to me that the vegetables I’d brought for the event to help feed a homeless family were given to that little girl’s family. The family had been struggling to put food on the table. It’s heartbreaking to see that families just like mine have fallen on hard times and I know the solution starts with just one seedling to start helping these people.”

And now, as she continues her work to end hunger, Katie is adjusting her organization’s offerings to make sure hungry families can still receive food amidst the coronavirus pandemic, swapping what used to be a monthly garden to table dinner for weekly drive-up dinners for her community.

“Since in-person dinners are no longer possible, we are now doing weekly drive-up dinners every Thursday. For the past two months, we’ve been creating the meals and boxing them up for distribution to families in South Carolina. There are so many individuals out of work and out of school and struggling, so we want to be there for them. We’ve been trying to do fun and different meals while also keeping everyone’s meals healthy to keep everyone’s immune systems up. We’ve served two-thousand meals thus far and we will continue doing this for as long as it’s necessary.”

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Katie Stagliano? Find local volunteer opportunities.

Contest Time! Expand Your Garden Library

Congratulations to our winners Hilary & Brandon! We hope to offer more contests in the future.

Contest Time!

Expand Your Garden Library

Looking for fun and inspirational reading in these challenging times? Enter to win a signed copy of Katie’s award-winning children’s book ‘Katie’s Cabbage’ and a copy of Joanna Gaines ‘We Are The Gardeners’. Two people will win copies of both books to expand their garden library. To enter simply complete the entry form below. All entries must be received by midnight on May 2nd. Good luck & stay safe!



    Finding My Peace through Service

    ‘For three hours tonight, I was happy. I was not anxious. I was not worried. I almost completely forgot that we are living in a world where we face a pandemic. I completely lost myself in service. I was with my chosen family, the people I love and care about. I completely forgot about our new reality. Yes, we worked with a skeleton crew to serve 250 meals, and we passed meals through car windows, but the love was still there, perhaps more than it has ever been.’

    Like everyone around the world, my life has been turned upside down. I have worked very hard to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in three years. My senior year was going to be amazing. I had the most adorable apartment, a job as a nanny for a family I loved; I was enrolled in the most amazing classes on the campus of the most beautiful college in the United States. Well, my year didn’t start off as planned. A lengthy illness made my first semester difficult. As the new year kicked off, I was excited for a fun last semester, but a car accident in January side-tracked me for several weeks. Things were back on track as I had just ordered my graduation dress, had lined up many trips to grow Katie’s Krops, and my classes were going great.

    As I write this, I am home with my family in quarantine. I only leave the house to feed my community by preparing and distributing weekly meals, working in the gardens, and making deliveries to families in need. Is this the senior year I imagined? No, I don’t think any of us fathomed how the world would change in the past few weeks, month. What I do know is that I have found a deep sense of peace as I have thrown myself into service. A smile on the face of a long-time Katie’s Krops dinner guest pulling up to receive a to-go meal on Thursdays brings joy I could have never imagined. Planting seedlings in a garden brings me peace. Sending seeds off to kids across the country fills me with hope. When everything is out of control I have grounded myself, by serving my community and my country.

    I know things will get worse before they get better. I also know that small acts of kindness are magnified in this new world. We can get through this if we come together to serve and be kind to one another. We are all in this together. Stay safe, everyone.

    A Dream Come True

    Five years ago I made a decision that forever changed the course of Katie’s Krops. That decision was to offer grants to other kids across the country to start Katie’s Krops gardens. I was only 12-years-old and filled with doubts. Would anyone apply for a grant? Did other kids truly share my passion for growing an end to hunger?

    Putting my doubts aside, we moved forward with launching the first Katie’s Krops grant cycle. The results were truly surprising. Over 200 applications were submitted for the very first Katie’s Krops grant cycle. Selecting the recipients proved to be the biggest challenge. I poured over the 200 plus applications, reading and reviewing each and everyone. One stood out among the rest, a class of third grade students in Watkinsville, Georgia. I selected Mrs. McGrath’s third grade class as one of our very first growers and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

    Fast forward five years.  I finally had the honor of visiting one of our longest standing gardens in Watkinsville, Georgia. You see, with over 80 plus gardens growing across the country it is impossible to visit even a small fraction of the gardens that bear the Katie’s Krops name.

    The moment I walked into the classroom the energy was electric. The students greeted me with open arms, eager to share the gardens. Yes gardens, plural. With every year, with every third grade class that passes through Mrs. McGrath’s classroom their garden grows and expands!

    The door leading out of the classroom into their garden is paved with ‘Gardening with a Purpose’, a sign of what these students do each and every day. You are welcomed into a garden filled with raised beds filled with vegetables. A beautiful garden mural adorns one wall. Fig trees and even a greenhouse constructed from recycled windows complete the garden. This is the garden that was constructed the very first year that the students started growing with Katie’s Krops.

    Next the students guided me to a chicken coop filled with fresh eggs and chickens racing around. This is year two with Katie’s Krops. A walk to a beautifully fenced in-garden wrapped with fragrant flowers brought us to year three. Inside the fence, hand painted stepping stones led us down a path  to a lush garden filled with berry bushes, raised beds, flowers and vegetables. The pride these students had for their work was amazing. Lastly, we explored year four, the fruit orchard.

    Words on a page do not do the gardens justice. How can I express just how proud I am of these students? How can I express how grateful I am to Mrs. McGrath? She is the driving force behind these students. She is the amazing woman who spends her in-school, out-of-school and summer hours growing my dream. How can I express how proud I am to have my name associated with this garden? There simply are not words to do so.


    To that 12-year-old girl who was filled with doubts about who would apply for a grant, who would share the dream to grow and end hunger, in five years you will walk into the most amazing garden and realize dreams do come true! To Mrs. McGrath’s students in Watkinsville, Georgia, I can’t wait to see what happens in year five!