The Blackbaud Nonprofit of the Match for the Charleston Battery vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies game is Katie’s Krops. Katie’s Krops is a great local organization that was started by a kid with big dreams and an even bigger cabbage.
In 2008, the now 17-year old Katie Stagliano began growing a cabbage seed in the small garden by her house. After Katie’s cabbage plant grew to 40 pounds, she decided to donate it to an organization in need with the help of Fields to Families. They recommended donating the plant to Tri County Family Ministries, a local soup kitchen here in Charleston. The reaction to her cabbage plant at the soup kitchen inspired Katie to do more.
The trip to Tri County Family Ministries sparked Katie’s dream — no more hungry people. Katie won a Launch My Dream t-shirt design contest with Amazing-Kids.org, which helped jump-start her project. Katie’s school donated a plot of land for a garden and the whole school helped to harvest and donate new crops.
Katie has now shifted part of her focus to getting more people involved in her dream. She’s encouraging other kids to grow crops of their own. Just one potted vegetable plant on a front porch can make a difference in the fight against hunger
As of 2015, there were 83 Katie’s Krops gardens growing in the United States. Every garden is youth-based. To donate to Katie’s Krops, learn more about the organization, or start a garden of your own, visit katieskrops.com.
