In partnership with Interior and Plant Stylist Hilton Carter, the brand traveled across the country to highlight the people and organizations transforming vacant lots into thriving spaces for their communities
SAN FRANCISCO, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Americans are experiencing a “crisis of connection,” with half or more adults reporting signs of loneliness [1]. In the fourth year of its Lots of Compassion initiative, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is teaming up with Interior and Plant Stylist Hilton Carter to debut a new documentary series exploring how gardens supported through the program are helping address that challenge in communities across the country. The program transforms vacant lots nationwide into thriving community gardens – using the goodness of the garden to nurture connection, support well-being, help expand access to fresh food and cultivate compassion nationwide.
Hilton Carter brings the stories behind Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day’s Lots of Compassion initiative to life in a new documentary series.
Since launching in 2023, Lots of Compassion has transformed more than 110,000 square feet of garden space, supported by the program’s 30 garden grants to date, and benefited more than 45,000 community members nationwide. Through partnerships with local organizations and leaders, the initiative continues to turn underused spaces into vibrant places where neighbors gather, learn and grow together.
At a time when community is more important than ever, these spaces connect neighbors and community members. They support mental and physical well-being, help expand fresh food access in their communities and create opportunities for people to come together, learn from one another and take pride in the places they cultivate.
Mrs. Meyer’s Lots of Compassion Documentary Series
To highlight the people behind these gardens, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day partnered with Carter to document the stories that illustrate the impact unfolding across these grant recipient communities nationwide.
The series, available on YouTube and social platforms, follows Carter as he travels across America to visit select Lots of Compassion grant recipients, showcasing the impact these gardens have in their local communities while inspiring others to embrace the power of gardening. Through intimate, on-the-ground storytelling, the series explores how these once-empty spaces have grown into places that support mental and physical well-being, while strengthening community resilience – from outdoor classrooms and fresh food access points to gardens that restore cultural connections and provide a sense of belonging.
Featured grant recipients include Luna y Sol (Tucson Bird Alliance), Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Urban Harvest and Killeen Creators. The series highlights how access to green space can shape how communities feel – demonstrating the broader impact of investing in shared outdoor spaces.
Carter, known for his thoughtful approach to plant care and design, brings viewers into the gardens and the communities that sustain them.
“Plants have a unique way of bringing people together,” said Carter. “A garden can start with something as simple as a seed, but with care and community, it can grow into something that nourishes far more than what’s planted in the ground. Getting to spend time with the people behind these gardens and hear their stories has been meaningful, and it’s inspiring to see how much compassion and connection can grow from a shared green space.”
The series will roll out on YouTube, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day social channels and at www.mrsmeyers.com/compassion in the coming weeks, with each episode spotlighting a different community and the impact of its garden.
Growing a Movement, One Garden at a Time
Through grants administered in partnership with KidsGardening, the Lots of Compassion program supports nonprofit organizations, community groups and local leaders working to create green spaces that encourage community engagement, education and environmental stewardship.
Across the country, these gardens serve as outdoor classrooms, gathering spaces and sources of fresh food for local families — demonstrating how small acts of compassion can grow into lasting community impact.
Cultivating Compassion for the Future
Mrs. Meyer’s believes that where gardens grow, so does compassion, well-being and community spirit. Through the Lots of Compassion initiative, the brand invites people across the country to use the goodness of the garden to cultivate compassion close to home. There are several ways to take part:
Purchase Compassion Flower Products: For every product sold on MrsMeyers.com, in-store at Walmart and on Walmart.com, $1 will be donated (up to $200,000 annually) to help fund community garden projects nationwide. As part of a five-year commitment, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day pledged to provide up to $1 million for the program through 2027.
Apply for a garden grant: Nonprofit organizations, community groups and others working in the community garden space can apply for funding to transform vacant or untended land into vibrant gardens designed to bring neighbors together. Applications are open from April 2, 2026, through June 15, 2026, and are facilitated by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day’s longtime partner, KidsGardening. To learn more or apply, visit www.mrsmeyers.com/compassion.
Watch the documentary series: The new documentary series featuring Hilton Carter spotlights inspiring Lots of Compassion gardens and the communities behind them – highlighting how these spaces continue to grow community, nourishment and compassion. Explore the full series on Mrs. Meyer’s YouTube channel.
To learn more about Lots of Compassion and how to get involved, visit www.mrsmeyers.com/compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lots of Compassion? The Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day program transforms vacant lots across the country into thriving community gardens through a five-year commitment contributing up to $1 million from sales of Compassion Flower product through 2027.
What is the impact of Lots of Compassion to-date?
Transformed more than 110,000 square feet of garden space
Benefited over 45,000 community members
How can I apply for a grant? To apply, visit www.mrsmeyers.com/compassion or kidsgardening.org/grant-opportunities/lots-of-compassion-grant/ (applications are open from April 2, 2026, through June 15, 2026).
Where can I watch the documentary series? The documentary series can be found on YouTube.
About Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day was inspired by Thelma A. Meyer, a real-life Iowa homemaker and mother of nine, who cherished her backyard garden and believed in a better way to care for her home. Inspired by the down-to-earth values of her mother, her daughter launched Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products, which not only smell delightful but work hard and clean like the dickens. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day’s garden-inspired line offers a variety of products for home, body and pet care, including premium scented oil diffusers, room sprays, laundry items, candles, dish soaps, surface cleaners, hand soaps, lotions and pet products. Products are made with essential oils and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients that are powerful against dirt and grime while being a pleasure to use. Garden-inspired scents add a little spring to your step while you care for your home. We all have to clean – let’s make the very best of it. Find the latest products and scents from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day at mrsmeyers.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook @mrsmeyerscleanday, X @MrsMeyersClean and YouTube at Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day.
About KidsGardening
KidsGardening is a national nonprofit working to ensure every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and grow through gardening. For more than 40 years, KidsGardening has supported educators and caregivers with grants, research-based curriculum, and a thriving community of practice. Each year, the organization reaches more than 2.7 million children across all 50 states, helping them build connections to food, nature, and one another. By making garden-based learning accessible in schools, childcare settings, and community spaces, KidsGardening is cultivating the next generation of healthy, curious, and engaged learners. Learn more at kidsgardening.org.
[1] American Psychological Association, Stress in America™ (2025).
SOURCE Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
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