The rising cost of produce may be running your budget into the ground, so Harvest of Hope is teaching homeowners to turn to the ground for help.

"We help people help themselves and this is through educating them in community gardening. We started last year in New Matamoras with helping people with their garden up there," says Karen Kumpf, Executive Director of the Washington County Harvest of Hope.

That was just the beginning Kumpf says now Marietta also has a community garden behind Food For Less, helping more families grow their own fresh food.

"12 different families and two organizations, the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA, I think it's their summer camp, they'll also be gardening there," says Kumpf.

Kumpf would like to see community gardens throughout Washington County, next year the organization is starting one in Harmar.

She says some families have already seen results.

"Several of them canned tomatoes that they were able to use during the Winter and some of them had frozen things, which is wonderful, that they're able to do this," says Kumpf.

The program has taught them that they can do this and it's easier than they thought They're learning how to plant some green and saving some in the process.

To learn more about the program and how to participate call Karen Kumpf at 740-374-3438