Oak Park-Based Music Potlucks Fights Hunger Through Folk Music Events
Music & Potlucks, a nonprofit organization based in the Oak Park and River Forest area, is actively combating hunger through its unique approach of hosting live folk music events. Founded by Liz Ziehl, Stephanie Schrodt, and Betsy Backes, the group organizes performances ranging from music lessons in church basements to sold-out shows, collecting donations of food and funds. Since its inception in spring 2017, Music & Potlucks has raised over $50,000 and gathered hundreds of pounds of food, diapers, and toiletries. They have been a significant partner for Beyond Hunger, an Oak Park-based hunger-relief program, providing over 8,000 meals to the community since 2019. Mark Dvorak, the group's artist in residence and a teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music, leads participants in singing American folk music, emphasizing its communal roots. 
