Thanks to funds recently donated by BankNewport, Methodist Community Gardens has more space to grow and more capacity to give.

A $2,000 grant from the bank allowed the community garden to install a tunnel greenhouse that will expand and enable year-round production of fresh produce. Representatives of the bank also stopped by the site to assist volunteers in covering the new greenhouse.

The gardens, located in Middletown, donate their home-grown vegetables to local organizations such as food pantries, shelters and senior centers so that they can create healthy, affordable meals for those they serve. In 2011 and 2012, volunteers were able to supply more than 2 tons of fresh vegetables to those in need. Flowers are also grown in the gardens, and are then delivered to local nursing homes.

Methodist Community Gardens are organized and sponsored by three Methodist churches on Aquidneck Island and are staffed by volunteers.

In addition to the garden grant, BankNewport contributed $500 for repairs to damages sustained from Hurricane Sandy. •