Dear Sweet Life Garden Friends,
Thank you for growing with us this past year.
2025 marks the end of our second full year of supporting DeKalb County, Illinois through good, old-fashioned gardening.
Here’s where we “Grow To Give”
Food Gardens
- Salem Lutheran Church, in partnership with Salem Food Pantry, Salem Youth Group & Sunday School, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Nibbles, Kids Gardening Club (a Unversity of Illinois - Extension 4H Special Interest Program, SPIN), Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb at Civic Apartments and Opportunity House, Inc.
- Taylor Street Plaza, in partnership with Housing Authority and DeKalb Township Community Work Program
- Barb City Manor, in partnership with BCM Kitchen and beautification
- Elder Care Services Food Garden, in partnership with Kapper Adult Day Service, Get Me To Monday Food Pantry, and Kishwaukee Community College Environmental Biology students
Flower Gardens
“The fresh-picked flowers were a joyful surprise.”
- Voluntary Action Center, in partnership with Meals On Wheels
- Hallgren Park, in partnership with DeKalb Park District
- DeKalb Public Library, beautification
Friendship Gardens
- Hope Haven Homeless Shelter, also supporting NIU Department of Student Involvement and DeKalb
- County Court Services (Community Restitution Services)
- Habitat For Humanity of DeKalb County, beautification
Contributions
Our largest monetary contributions in 2025 came from:
- Give DeKalb County, DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership of DeKalb County Community Foundation
- Target, Inc. Community Action Grant
- Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire
Thrivent Action Team Grants, through members of Salem Lutheran Church
The quote heard most often from volunteers & visitors this past year has been, “OH! My Grandma grew those in her garden!” And isn’t that simply the highest compliment for a community gardening nonprofit?
Thank you for gardening with us - with your hands - and hearts in 2025.
Cheers to 2026! Happy New Year!
Lori Brown & Sweet Life Team
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