Coffee in the Commons

Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we offer hot coffee, tea and light breakfast snacks at the garden. The garden offers a free, accessible, low-barrier, “third space” in the Pidgeon Town/Leonidas neighborood. Community members are welcome to talk, relax, walk through the garden, seek out resources, offer support, connect with new people and much more.

Mutual Aid Distro

Okra Abbey serves as a community hub for regular contributions of items like clothing, blankets, first aid supplies, Narcan, and other resources. We distribute these items on a first-come, first-served basis as needs arise, without judgement, coercion or bureaucratic barriers to access (like means testing). We distribute resources via:

• The Blessing Box serves as a 24/7 mutual aid distro site accessible from the sidewalk. We work to keep the Blessing Box stocked with toiletries, first aid supplies, harm reduction supplies (Narcan, Fentanyl test strips) and more! 

• The forthcoming Free Store will operate as a small walk-in shop during open hours where community members can pick out clothing, toiletries, tools and home goods.

• The Community Fridge has been relocated from the garden to our nearby partners at the Neutral Ground Coffee House, located on the corner of Hickory & Hollygrove Streets, just two blocks away.

Seasonal Gatherings & Special Events

Other Community Offerings

We regularly collaborate with community groups, schools, religious organizations, agricultural collectives and a wide variety of individuals to offer special events, programming and seasonal gatherings. If you have ideas for collaboration, or would be interesting hosting or co-sponsoring an event at Okra Abbey, please reach out to okraabbey (at) gmail.com

We host a neighborhood Community Recycling & Composting Hub located at the corner of Eagle & Hickory Street which serves as an accessible location for neighbors to drop off kitchen scraps and yard waste to add to our composting system, as well as to collect aluminum cans for the NOLA Cans 4 Food program. We are also in the process of becoming a glass recycling drop-off with Glass Half Full. 

Additionally, we also help maintain a Community Altar on the sidewalk near the corner of Eagle & Hickory Street where we honor, remember and lift up friends, family, neighbors, community members & other ancestors who have transitioned.

We also maintain a Community Message Board where we share programming updates and host a space for people to post event flyers, services, offers and needs, etc.