The Village Castle Pines Garden Club is a nonprofit organization that does more than tend gardens. Through our Community Outreach Committee, we support programs and projects that serve those in need throughout our community. By sharing our time, talents, and resources, we help nurture a stronger, more caring community where both people and gardens can thrive.​
Community Outreach Chairperson Mary Murray and her team are spearheading an October 2026 food drive for our non-profit beneficiary, the Backpack Society. Please click on the DONATE NOW button to be redirected to the donation form for food drive dates and location details OR for check/Zelle payment instructions, if you would like to make a cash donation now. 
The Garden Club, through our Charity Outreach Committee, donates to the Backpack Society
and Help & Hope Center, Douglas/Elbert Task Force.
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force Help & Hope Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit human service organization dedicated to providing assistance to people in Douglas and Elbert counties who are in serious economic need, at risk of homelessness, or in a similar crisis. They address immediate needs by consistently providing food and other necessities for homeless, low income and the working poor in our community.  
  • ​The Help & Hope Center addresses the issues that affect community members who are unemployed, underemployed, on fixed incomes, disabled, and elderly. Help & Hope Center staff members provide quality screening, one-on-one counseling, effective service delivery, and meaningful referrals for all clients.
  • In 2025, 50,600 volunteer hours, over $3 million in total assistance, 36,750 clients served.
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CLICK HERE to be redirected to The Help and Hope Center.
The Backpack Society is driven by a single goal ~ To remove food insecurity as an obstacle for children so they can grow, learn and thrive.Their programs are designed to help kids on weekends and breaks when they don't have access to school provided meals. By providing weekend food, they hope students will be well fed and can come to school Monday morning ready to learn.
  • The Backpack Society currently delivers weekend bags to 64 Douglas County, Littleton and Englewood schools, containing 6 meals plus snacks to 750-800 students and families.
  • In the 24-25 fiscal year total revenues reached $516,000 with 195,281 pounds of food distributed, with an increase number of students served to 800-850. 
  • The Backpack Society is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. There are many volunteer opportunities available!
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CLICK HERE to be redirected to Backpack Society.​
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​Share the joy of giving while forming new friendships with garden club members and the larger community.  

The Community Outreach Committee supports local, non-profit organizations committed to serving those in need including the Help and Hope Center and the Backpack Society.  
We conduct four (4) events each year that support recipients.​
     * Toiletry/ Food/Clothing Drive for Help and Hope Center.
     * A Giving Tree at the Club’s holiday party.
     * Spring Tagawa Gardens gift-card fundraiser.
     * Non-perishable Food Donation Drive for Backpack Society.
“A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
—Saint Basil

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