It's the first week of April, and nothing brings me more joy than the first signs of Spring!

With snow on the ground and the occasional subzero windchill, it’s hard to imagine that spring will eventually be here.  This is a great time to raise your spirits by planning your spring garden!

The GardenWorks Project is thrilled to welcome Morgan Abate to our team as the Marketing and Operations Associate. A passionate food justice and public health advocate, Morgan started volunteering with GardenWorks last year as a garden coordinator and launched the GardenWorks Food Readers’ Club in Fall 2019. We are excited to have her nonprofit and marketing expertise to help build awareness of The GardenWorks Project’s mission and programs. 

I woke up Monday morning wearied by the weekend’s onslaught of emails about COVID-19, the region’s toilet paper shortage, and my general anxieties about the health of my family. And I worried about the amount of food in my pantry for myself and my family.

What is a GardenLeader?

If you are looking to get more involved with GardenWorks this year, we have many opportunities during Garden Build Season to get your skills working for the good of your neighbors!

Again, for the fourth year in a row, The GardenWorks Project Community Garden Support Program is pleased to offer a resource grant to select organizations that desire to begin or enhance a community gardening project.

Why give on #GivingTuesday? GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. 

The GardenWorks Project announces Chicagoland's first book club dedicated to food systems, food security, and the environment

Are you interested in learning more about The GardenWorks Project? Do you have a background in non-profit management, marketing, operations management, and/or community development/engagement?  The GardenWorks Project is pleased to offer a part-time academic year internship for the fall 2019 through spring 2020. 

The GardenWorks Project is excited to have Amanda Bryant take on a new role as Programs and Operations Manager this summer. Previously a volunteer, garden lead, coach, and board member, we are thrilled to have Amanda take on this role and further enhance the programs and services offered to clients in western Chicagoland.

Hot Pepper Challenge Makes a Fiery Return in Summer 2019

The GardenWorks Project is fighting hunger with fire for the third year in a row! We are excited to kick off this year's Hot Pepper Challenge, a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign started to raise awareness about the organization's mission to fight hunger through gardening. What better way to show your commitment than to display your HOT harvest eats on camera?

Community Gardens Fight Hunger with The GardenWorks Project

West Chicago, IL, April 23, 2019:  The GardenWorks Project has awarded three area organizations with resources to start community gardens to grow food for food insecure individuals and families. Horizon Elementary School (District U-46, Hanover Park), Whittier Elementary School (District 58, Downers Grove), and Compass Church (Bolingbrook) received an in-kind grant of supplies to establish a community garden for the purposes of improving food security within the region.

“Now in its third year, our Community Garden Support Program is increasing the number of community gardens in western Chicagoland so more residents have access to locally grown, healthy food,” said Jeannie Iseman, The GardenWorks Project’s Executive Director. “We believe everyone deserves fresh produce, and we are committed to equipping others to increase the availability of healthy food for those facing food insecurity.”