2 minute read
THE GARDEN
A meal served with love enriches an entire community and Janay Armstrong has been giving back to the Columbia community by serving FREE meals for more than a year now. Armstrong celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Garden 931, which is located at 800 East 9th Street in Columbia, after serving the first meals in April 2020. Armstrong started serving meals to anyone who showed up at The Garden and in fact, there were 75 full meals served the first-time meals were offered at The Garden. “It was a calling from God and since then, there have been times when we have served 235 meals in one day. I want to serve our community and bring what the community needs with a heart like Christ,” Armstrong stated.
On the 4th Saturday of each month, The Garden serves amazing FREE food to anyone who stops by between noon and 4pm on designated Saturdays. Those who stop by are welcome to stay and enjoy fellowship or grab a meal to go if they prefer. The meals are fresh, hot and made with love from the many volunteers who help on any given Saturday. Meals range from hamburgers, hot dogs, fish plates with available sides such as white beans, coleslaw, spaghetti, fries, loaded fries and of course sweets are also included. Other meal options have included pot roast, chicken and dressing, loaded baked potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls, banana pudding and peach cobbler. Even a Thanksgiving breakfast was provided last year with pancakes, bacon, eggs and more. No matter what is being served, all the fixings are provided so each meal is complete, hot, and delicious!
— JANAY ARMSTRONG
Armstrong financially supports this endeavor and does also receive generous donations and gift cards to help buy the food from businesses and community members. “The Lord told me The Garden was going to be a safe place for everyone. A feeding naturally and spiritually,” Armstrong expounded. “The Garden is where life comes alive. In the Garden, there is a grapevine that helps produce the fruits inside of you — but the Gardener is who cultivates, waters, and keeps you fed. The Garden is to feed spiritually, naturally, and it is the Garden that shall produce many fruits.”
As The Garden continues to grow, Armstrong wants to add additional services. Recently free beginner piano lessons have been added as a community outreach program, but Armstrong still has much work to be done. n If you are interested in joining Armstrong’s mission, you may send donations through Venmo @thegarden931. Otherwise, feel free to stop by and see what’s happening at the Garden for yourself, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @thegarden931.
