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More than three decades ago, a young Jason Maglaughlin was in the US Peace Corps working in community gardens to feed people and build "community" wherever he was.
Today in Rutherford County, Jason is involved in much the same thing. As director of Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden, Jason and a group of faithful volunteers provide free food for a produce stand in Rutherfordton and free food at Welcome Table dinners in Rutherfordton harvested from the garden during the growing season.
According to Jason, food insecurity remains high in the area as statistics show there is a greater need for food today than last year.
Since Ruff'ton Roots is a nonprofit, the organization sponsors two fundraisers each year -- the spring plant sale and the Empty Bowl event -- in order to fund the ever growing community garden.
Empty Bowls 2026 will be held November 14 beginning at 5:30pm at the First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton. Tickets are available at $50 and the more money raised, the more food that can be harvested for 2027. Those attending Empty Bowls will receive a "full meal" of soup, salad, desserts and breads.
"We'll have multiple types of soups donated from local restaurants," Jason said.
Ticket holders will also have the opportunity to receive a bowl made by local artisans. Other bowls will be on display for a silent auction. (Visit rufftonroots.org for ticket information).
As folks gather for the Empty Bowl 2026 event, they will be greeted by volunteers from Ruff'ton Roots who for the past four years have hosted the fundraising dinner in order to support the garden. Without Empty Bowls and the spring plant sale, there wouldn't be funding to provide the garden.
With the rise in grocery store prices and the cuts made in some food programs, Jason said the demand for food assistance is higher than before, thus more gardening space is needed. Volunteers are working plans to expand the garden space.
During the gardening season, Ruff'ton Roots provides a free meal through the Welcome Table ministry at the Methodist Church in Rutherfordton on the third Monday of the month. From the garden, volunteers cook and serve the meal during the harvest season. (The Welcome Table ministry continues year round with support of the Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal churches in Rutherfordton.)
Jason hopes others will become a part the volunteer team for Ruff'ton Roots and those interested can visit the Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden Facebook page for more information, or simply "show up." Jason says volunteering brings much joy by providing food for the community as well as building community through creating impactful friendships.
"We can definitely use more volunteers. "Many hands make for a lighter load and more food we can serve," Jason said.
He said, "Whether you're new to the community (or a resident) there is an opportunity to make relationships and establish a support network, learning how to address food insecurities and the wonderful thing is, you meet so many people...come, learn and work together."
Last Wednesday Jason was moving fresh harvested produce from the Ruff'ton Roots garden to the new produce stand located near the garden and Rutherford Regional Hospital. The stand is open each Wednesday from 10am to noon. As the harvesting season comes to a close in a few weeks, the produce stand will close until the spring harvesting season.
Jason, who is an employee of the Town of Rutherfordton, became director of Ruff'ton Roots a year ago when then-director Lindy Abrams joined the Town of Rutherfordton's Parks and Recreation as Director. Fortunately for the community, Jason said, Ruff'ton Roots comes under the Parks and Recreation Department so "Lindy still has some oversight".
"I've lived in communities all around the world, and this community is my favorite," he said.
"People around here take care of each other and we need more people to do this," he added.
2026 Ruff'ton Roots statics:
• Pounds of produce donated in 2026 = 4,574
• Household servings donated in 2026 = 5,093
• Volunteer hours in 2026 = 2,256
• For an overall value to the community in 2026 = $106,056
