Somewhat urgent: Real Food Challenge needs SPACE in Chicago or nearby suburbs (Oct. 18-21)

[Debbie Hillman]

To:

Advocates for Urban Agriculture

FoodLoveChicago

Faith in Place

Venue Cricket (cool website that helps people find spaces for special occasions)

Mac 'n Cheese Productions

Friends, neighbors, etc.

Hi, all --

As many of you know, Real Food Challenge, the college-based national network, is holding a Midwest leadership training in Chicago on Oct. 18-21.

Unfortunately, their host location just fell through.   Because they're college students, they are used to roughing it and don't need much in the way of amenities, but they also don't have resources to pay.    

Any offer would be welcome --

a community center, 

faith-based group (church, synagogue, mosque, etc.), 

school (private or public) 

empty apartment, house

empty office

athletic club, dance studio?

Other ??

Here's the basics of the space they need:

Essential:

Sleep 20-25 people   (on the floor, students bring sleeping bags)

Nights of  Oct. 18, 19, 20    (if space is a church, can commit to leaving before Sunday services)

Access to a kitchen   (so the students can cook their own meals  -- this is a REAL FOOD group)

Public transportation   (reasonable access to a bus line, El, or Metra)

Optional (meaning they may be able to find these amenities elsewhere, but it would be great if everything was in one place):

Access to showers

Access to a meeting space

Below I have copied the request letter from Katie Blanchard, Midwest Coordinator (based in Minnesota).   I worked with Katie and the rest of the Midwest team last year when Northwestern University hosed the Midwest summit.   I found the individuals and the organization to be very responsible and very committed to food and farm issues.

If anyone can help in this particular way, we would all benefit from your generosity.    Please contact Katie directly.  (I am copying her on this email.)     At this late date, please send only REAL potential sites  -- probably something that you have personal knowledge of.

-- Debbie

Debbie Hillman

Evanston, Illinois

D. Hillman Strategies:  Food Policy for Voters

847/328-7175

DLHi...@sbcglobal.net

FoodVote.2012.com    (http://DHillmanStrategies.com)

From: Katie Blanchard <katie.b...@gmail.com>

Date: September 27, 2012 10:35:23 AM CDT

To: Debbie Hillman <dlhi...@sbcglobal.net>

Subject: Re: support with space for our leadership training?

The Real Food Challenge, a national student network, is excited to bring a student leadership training opportunity to students in Chicago, and I'm reaching out to you to inquire about whether your space would be available for 20-25 students to sleep (floors are fine!), prepare meals, and hold some of our workshop sessions the weekend of October 18-21.

Each summer and fall, we organize leadership & organizing trainings for student leaders who return to their campuses to lead food policy campaigns for more community-based, fair food in their cafeterias. Students will be attending this training from around Chicago, and also from Michigan, greater Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, so we especially need a space for the out-of-town students to stay.

Our training will begin Thursday afternoon the 18th and continue through Sunday morning the 21st, when we can leave the space in time for Sunday services.

We have been honored to host trainings such as this one at churches around the country, and can provide references. We are very respectful and appreciative of the spaces that churches have offered us for these great events for students.

Thank you so much for considering this request. I look forward to hearing from you -- and please feel free to just give me a call at the number below, if that is easier!

--

Katie Blanchard

Midwest Coordinator, Real Food Challenge, www.realfoodchallenge.org
231-881-1768  II  katie.b...@gmail.com