Music Potlucks Organization Fights Hunger in Oak Park and River Forest Through Folk Music Events
Music & Potlucks, a nonprofit organization based in the Oak Park and River Forest area, is actively combating hunger through a unique blend of live folk music events and community donation drives. Co-founded by Liz Ziehl, Stephanie Schrodt, and Betsy Backes, the organization hosts monthly folk jams and other performances, using these gatherings to collect food and monetary donations. Since its inception in spring 2017, Music & Potlucks has conducted over 300 shows, raising more than $50,000 and gathering hundreds of pounds of food, diapers, and toiletries. These contributions primarily benefit Beyond Hunger, an Oak Park-based hunger-relief program serving 13 zip codes across Cook County, to which Music & Potlucks has donated since 2019, providing over 8,000 meals. The organization also supports other social service agencies like Housing Forward, Building Chicago, A House in Austin, Peace Corner Youth Center, and Intonation Music, and operates a grants program distributing $500 or more several times a year. 
