What started as a routine stop for discounted seeds turned into one of the largest donations the Master Gardeners of Maryland program has ever received.
Rachel Rhodes, University of Maryland Extension (UME) Master Gardener coordinator in Queen Anne’s County, had gone into Ocean State Job Lot after learning that seeds were 40% off. With limited funding and no major seed sponsor for the year’s upcoming seed swap, an annual event to support home gardeners in diversifying their personal plots, Rhodes was prepared to use reserve funds to obtain additional seeds for the spring plantings.
“I send out mass emails to about 38 seed companies every year,” Rhodes said. “If they say yes, I might get 10 or 50 seed packets. Usually about nine companies bite, which isn’t bad. But it’s never a giant donation.”
This year was different.
A Random Ask — and a Remarkable Yes
Rhodes approached her local store manager to ask about a donation — her typical strategy when seeking support.
“The manager said I’d have to contact corporate offices in Rhode Island,” she explained. “I didn’t even know they had a charitable foundation.”
After visiting the company’s website, she reached out to the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation. “It doesn’t hurt to ask,” she said. “If they say no, we move on.”
Instead, they said yes — in a big way.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated 33,000 seed packets, valued at approximately $66,000, along with spring-flowering bulbs worth another $2,000. The seeds will be divided among Maryland’s 24 county Master Gardener programs — about 1,300 packets per county.
“We began donating seeds over 10 years ago in our home state to the Master Gardener Program at the University of Rhode Island,” said the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation Vice President of Corporate Giving, David Sarlitto. “As part of our Sow and Grow program we aim to help Master Gardener Programs in the communities where we operate.”
“That’s a huge donation for a state program,” Rhodes said. “I never expected a company to be so generous.”
A Community Investment
While many counties host annual seed swaps, the impact of the donation extends far beyond those events.
Master Gardeners across Maryland support school gardens, demonstration gardens, community gardens, and “Seed to Supper” programs. They also partner with mobile libraries and food pantries to reach residents facing food insecurity. Rhodes hopes to distribute seeds not only at public seed swaps but also through local food banks and pantries.
Food insecurity in Maryland has grown significantly. The Maryland Food Bank estimates that one in eight Maryland residents experience food insecurity, with some estimates suggesting one in three Marylanders are struggling with food costs. “We have Master Gardener volunteers across the state that are involved in community gardens – putting seeds in their hands to distribute out to the community, or use for teaching, has the potential to support food-insecure residents across our state,” Rhodes said. “These 33,000 seeds will be used for countless community initiatives,” she said. “They’re supporting all of this work — not just seed swaps.”
“Giving back is central to our mission. We believe in supporting local communities to help them thrive. These donations are a tangible way to provide resources directly to those who can make a real difference in their neighborhoods,” said Sarlitto. “We hope this donation will support educational outreach and hands-on gardening projects across Maryland, helping Master Gardeners teach communities about gardening and fostering local food production.”
The donation includes a wide variety of vegetables — corn, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage, peas, and more — along with flower seeds and spring-flowering bulbs.
Some of the most exciting items are curated variety packs, such as heirloom garden collections that combine sunflowers, zucchini, and tomatoes — ideal for beginners who want crops that grow well together. The foundation also included seed tape, a dissolvable strip embedded with tiny seeds. “That would be great for senior centers,” Rhodes said. “It’s not just middle-aged people facing food insecurity, many seniors are, too — and this makes it easy to get started.”
Thanks to one ask, and one generous response, tens of thousands of Maryland residents will have access to seeds this growing season. From school gardens to senior centers, food pantries to backyard plots, the donation will help communities grow not only food, but resilience and beauty across the state.
For more information on University of Maryland Extension’s Master Gardener programs, go to https://extension.umd.edu/programs/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/home-and-garden-information-center/master-gardener-program/, and to find local programs, go to https://extension.umd.edu/locations/ and choose your county of residence.