Every year, The GardenWorks Project holds a fall fundraiser, Harvest against Hunger. For the past two years, we have held the event virtually, and still had great success, selling out of tickets both years. We are delighted to celebrate this year with an in-person event at the College of DuPage, with virtual components for those that choose to participate remotely.

Lori connected with The GardenWorks Project in the fall of 2020. She had heard about the organization and its gardening program through the Birth to Three Program in West Chicago, and decided to submit an application.

(Chicago, IL – July 18, 2022) The Chicago Region Food System Fund today awarded $1.52 million to 48 grantees as part of its continuing efforts to bolster Chicago’s local food system against systemic shocks like COVID-19 and ongoing economic upheaval.

During the 2021 growing season, Lisle Township Community Garden harvested and donated 1,100 pounds of fresh produce to The Lisle Township Food Pantry.

Food security and access are at the forefront of conversations and media attention as a global food crisis threatens the health of people around the world and right here at home.  

The GardenWorks Project is launching Fresh Food Connect, a mobile app this spring to make it easier for home and community gardeners to donate a portion of their fresh grown produce to local food access organizations. 

All right, I have a bit of a confession to make. Even though I have been involved with the GardenWorks Project for the past three years, as I feel strongly about fighting hunger, food security and food access, I am actually not a gardener.

Four participating nonprofits receive grants from Robert R. McCormick Foundation, including The GardenWorks Project.

Lewis has been gardening with The GardenWorks Project for three years at Bridge Communities as part of the organization's Home Gardening Program, which has built 525 home gardens and improved access to fresh produce for 2,094 individuals since 2012.

The GardenWorks Project's newest garden at Downers Grove FISH Pantry improves access to fresh produce by supplementing what the volunteers rescue from local grocery stores and order from Northern Illinois Food Bank.

One of GardenWorks’ earliest community partners is the College of DuPage. As an educational institution in the heart of DuPage County, COD provides a broad range of programs including degree programs in Horticulture and Sustainable Urban Agriculture. In 2017, GardenWorks installed 5 raised bed gardens as part of its Community Garden Support program. GardenWorks Project also serves on the College’s Horticulture Advisory Committee and has partnered with the Horticulture, Culinary Arts, and the Homeland Security Education Center programs for the 2018 and 2019 Harvest Against Hunger fundraisers.