… on November 28
Holiday C.A.R.E. Faire
The 2015 Holiday C.A.R.E. Faire of the Community Animal Rescue Effort, will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the Unitarian Church, 1330 Ridge Ave. C.A.R.E. mascot Foster and his little cat Hope are hosts.
C.A.R.E. Faire traditions will be represented in force, including the Cookie Walk, pet- and people-oriented vendors, a raffle, a silent auction, the C.A.R.E. Booth, and the Such-A-Deal table and photos with Santa.
This year C.A.R.E. is mounting a winter pet food drive to help low-income pet-owning clients of its partner organization, Irving Park Community Food Pantry. As suggested admission to the Faire, C.A.R.E. is asking attendees to donate pet food or supplies. Donations can also be dropped off at Schwartzhoff Cleaners, 600 Oakton St., and Pet Supplies Plus Lincolnwood, 7031 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood.
… through December 3
Rotary Sponsors Hat and Glove Drive
The Rotary Club of Evanston is holding its annual Hat and Glove Drive, collecting funds and clothing for Evanston boys and girls ages 9 through 12.
Through Dec. 3, donations of wool hats and thermal gloves can be made at collection boxes at the Downtown Evanston office, 820 Davis St. and the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Donations can also be made online at www.evanstonrotary.org and by mail to the Rotary Club of Evanston, P.O. Box 84, Evanston, IL 60204. Checks should be payable to the Rotary Club of Evanston Charitable Fund.
… through December 11
Mayor’s Holiday Food & Toy Drive
To ensure every Evanston family gets to celebrate this holiday season, Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl encourages all community members to participate in the seventh annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive.
Community members can help local families in need by providing food, toys and financial donations through Dec. 11.
The City is currently collecting new, unwrapped toys that encourage physical and/or social activities, in addition to non-perishable food items, at the Morton Civic Center, all community centers, all five Evanston fire stations, all branches of the library and the police station.
Tax-deductible monetary donations can also be made online or by mail. Donations may be made securely online at cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.
Checks should be made payable to “City of Evanston Holiday Giving,” and mailed to Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept., 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.
On Dec. 18, community members can also donate their time by volunteering during the holiday basket giveaway event. Registration is online at VolunteerEvanston.org.
The City has partnered with Toys for Tots, and toys donated at Evanston Toys for Tots locations will be donated to the Mayor’s Holiday Food & Toy Drive.
More information is available at fort-sheridan-il.toysfortots.org. and cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.
Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets
Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets, in operation since 2010, has a mission to educate the public about healthy eating and to provide access to healthy food for all, regardless of income.
Since 2011, Friends has supported Link (formerly known as Food Stamps) downtown market shoppers with matching funds up to $50 weekly. In 2014 and 2015 Friends gave $40,000 to Link shoppers. These funds, provided by grants and proceeds from fundraisers, have benefited both Link users and local farmers.
Friends has also partnered with Campus Kitchens at Northwestern University and Evanston Public Library in a film fest exploring the many issues of food production and consumption. Market shoppers have also been delighted with the wonderful tastings provided by volunteer chefs who demonstrate how to cook the fresh food found at the market.
Volunteers can help. In 2016, Friends hopes to hire a Link out-reach worker who can communicate to Evanston agencies and organizations about benefits for Link families. Those interested in donating or volunteering may visit www.evanston
farmersmarkets.org.