Why we love our community partners (and you should too!)

Aug 18

Written By

What a treat to write about three of my favorite things – H.O.M.E., Rogers Park and the Glenwood Sunday Market! I have lived in Rogers Park for 30+ years, I have worked for H.O.M.E since 2006 and I have enjoyed the Market almost every Sunday for the last four years. I love meeting the farmers and other vendors and I love making delicious, seasonal dishes for my family with my market purchases. With all that in mind, I contacted Sheree Moratto at the Rogers Park Business Alliance to explore how H.O.M.E. might partner with the Market.

Each season, Glenwood Sunday Market works with organizations that provide food to people in the local community. H.O.M.E. is proud to be among their food access partners, along with A Just Harvest, Community Feast of United Church of Rogers Park, Food Not Bombs, and St. Ignatius Food Pantry. We are glad to be a part of the Rogers Park community and connect with our Market neighbors!

The Glenwood Sunday Market was established in June 2010 with a mission to bring farmers to Food donations Rogers Park so the community can enjoy local, sustainably produced food and goods in a friendly and festive urban neighborhood street market. Located next to the Morse Avenue stop on the CTA’s Red Line, the Market operates every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm from June through October. The Market is a program of the Rogers Park Business Alliance and enjoys:

an average weekly shopping audience of more than 1500 customers
an active community of more than 95 volunteers
a devoted Leadership Council
a growing Market For All matching fund program for our neighbors in need
and one of the most “green” operations in the City of Chicago

Voted Illinois’ Favorite Farmers Market in 2010, Glenwood Sunday Market was also voted Third Favorite Farmers Market of its size the U.S. in the American Farmland Trust 2010 contest.

The Glenwood Sunday Market invites local food pantries, shelters and other nonprofit partners to reach out to the robust community at the Market, and H.O.M.E. is pleased to participate this year. In July, H.O.M.E. was introduced to the Market as staff and residents greeted market customers while answering questions and distributing information about H.O.M.E.

Housing Coordinator Caren Arden-Tabani said that she and residents Charlotte, Christine, and Judy “had a wonderful afternoon people watching and talking to various vendors.” The generous spirit of Rogers Park shone through in the donations of beautiful produce and meat we received from shoppers and vendors alike. Those donations were used for meals for our shared living residents at Pat Crowley House and the Nathalie Salmon House.

H.O.M.E. at the Market

Christine said of one donation, “I really enjoyed having fresh lamb for a change. Our Resident Assistant Lyndsie made a wonderful lamb stew.” We continually strive to offer the widest variety of fresh food to our residents, and the market donations were a big boon! A special thanks to those who donated!