Hattiesburg Doctor Plants Free Community Garden Near Home

When Dr. Laveria Dent saw grocery prices climbing higher and higher, she decided to do something about it for her Hattiesburg community.

She's planting a free community garden at 714 McKinley Street, just down the road from where she grew up. The garden will grow squash, tomatoes, greens, and other vegetables that anyone can pick without paying a dime.

Dent says her mission is simple: make sure everyone in her neighborhood has access to healthy food. "I think it's necessary for us to help our people," she told local news.

Her inspiration comes from childhood summers spent working in the garden with her dad. Those long days in the field taught her skills she now sees as preparation for this exact moment.

The property sits near downtown Hattiesburg, positioned to serve families who need it most. Dent believes her father equipped her with gardening knowledge specifically so she could give back to her community when times got tough.

The Ripple Effect

Free produce is just the beginning of what this garden offers. Community gardens create gathering spaces where neighbors meet, share knowledge, and build connections that strengthen entire neighborhoods.

When one person shares fresh vegetables, others learn to grow their own. Skills pass from gardener to gardener, creating food security that lasts beyond a single harvest.

Dent is calling for volunteers to help tend the garden and donors to contribute supplies. Anyone interested can reach her directly at 601-402-3633 to join the effort.

Fresh tomatoes and greens are growing where memories were made, feeding a new generation of Hattiesburg neighbors.