While money doesn't grow on trees, green thumbs at Esquimalt United Church invested in the next best thing – a vegetable garden.

This summer they raked in $400 worth of plump tomatoes, crisp lettuce, fresh potatoes, cabbage, lettuce and beans.

The church originally planned to donate the grub to the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, a society that provides parenting and counselling services to families in need. But after finding out the society didn't have the facilities to store or distribute the produce, the church sold it at a farmer's market instead, and donated the cash to the society.

It not only helped a neighbour, said Shelley Wright, administrator and member of the congregation, but helped nourish the community in the process. That's where their investment came back – with interest.

"There's so much space here. It was unused, doing nothing," she said. "It was a great outreach to the community because it got us outside."

Passersby came to chat and admire the church-side garden, while tomatoes hung heavy like Christmas-tree bobbles, and zucchini expanded like balloon animals.

"I've never seen a garden grow like that," Wright said, who watched from her office window as soil transformed into food like magic.

"It's really good that they think about us," said Mary Lynn McKenna, executive director of Esquimalt Neighbourhood House. "And, of course, the donations will be well-used."

The money will go into their food fund, McKenna said.

While the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House is not a food bank, they do set some emergency food aside for needy clients.

Next year, the church is willing to work with some of the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House's 120 clients to give them space for their own garden.

Since the summer harvest is pretty much over, volunteers have planted a winter crop of kale and hearty squash so they can continue to sell their harvest at the Sunday church service.

"It looks like it will be an ongoing thing," Wright said.

lweighton@vicnews.com