When Michelle and Bart Kleng relocated closer to their church last year, they knew it was time.

It was now or never, Michelle said, to go after their dream of 10 years.

Developing a community garden.

"We wanted to do something that would benefit the community," the Coeur d'Alene woman said. "It's just a passion of ours. It's not work. It's pure joy."

The couple, both on the outreach board for Lutheran Church of the Master, haven't held anything back.

With the help of a multitude of volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses, the Klengs have transformed a half-acre field on the church property this year into tidy rows of 55 raised beds, all boasting lush, dark soil.

There's a ways to go yet, Michelle acknowledged. But she has high hopes for the garden, where folks can keep what they need and donate the rest to those in need.

"Our goal was to get 30 plots rented by the first year, and we're almost there," Michelle said, adding that the garden opened for planting on April 21. "And there's at least another month of planting left."

Some of the plots are being used by disabled teens, some by elderly folks, some by families who want organic, home-grown food on their table.

There are so many folks who live in apartments nearby, Michelle said, this will be an opportunity for residents to play in the dirt they wouldn't otherwise have.

"I hope that they can learn a new life skill," said Michelle, a full-time piano teacher. "And they are also learning how to give back to the community."

Crops planted so far include cauliflower, tomatoes, corn, peas and spinach.

Folks who rent beds can choose for some or all of their harvests to be donated to Shared Harvest, the area's first community garden that distributes produce to 15 different nonprofits, including soup kitchens, food banks and St. Vincent de Paul.

Shared Harvest founder Kim Normand has been mentoring the Klengs on managing a community garden, she said.

"We're excited to see these new gardens popping around," Normand said.

There has been increased demand for food donations at soup kitchens and food banks, she added, especially produce.

"The reason it helps is because when (people) go to the food bank, they're getting canned food, processed food," Normand said. "It's very hard for these families on food stamps to pay for organic vegetables and fruits."

Everyone who rents a bed must sign a contract to manage it responsibly, Michelle said.

They're willing to work with those who struggle, she added.

"When my husband and I took this on, we figured we would spend a lot of time there," she said. "We're here to mentor people as best we can. We do have people who have never gardened before, and that's so exciting."

On Thursday afternoon, Michelle met with first-time vegetable gardener Elisabeth Garland to demonstrate planting rows.

The pair sat together and shuffled through seed packets, which the church provides free.

"This is going to be real fun," said Garland, whose children rented the bed as a Mother's Day gift. "I like the idea that it goes to food banks. That's what sold me."

Garland is more accustomed to planting roses, though, she confessed.

"Roses are much harder to grow," Michelle assured her. "You'll be fine."

Renting a bed costs $25 a year, to cover water costs. Tools and seeds are provided by the church.

For more information, go to the Lutheran Church of the Master office at 4800 North Ramsey Road, open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Folks can also rent a bed or volunteer by calling Michelle at 772-7928.

"We just want to make it a place of beauty and peace," Michelle said.