As we search for long-term solutions to hunger, we’re hearing a common concern across our community, from program participants, shoppers, volunteers, and donors alike: The lack of affordable housing in our community is a key driver of hunger. We’re thinking about how we can maximize the use of our building and property to directly address this root cause by adding affordable housing to our site. While we’re still in exploratory stages, we are optimistic that the future Metro Caring site can directly address a leading cause of hunger and demonstrate how co-creating with community can lead to long-term positive change that reverses a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
You are being invited to participate in a short survey that will help us to more accurately understand the professions and trades practiced by members of our community, particularly those in the ‘creative’ professions. These include but are not limited to artists of all types, ‘makers’ who create or invent things whether they use traditional methods or modern technologies, performers of all types, folk craft entrepreneurs who produce crafts which are linked to national, ethnic, or local traditions, or any of a wide variety of creative industries including journalism, illustration, copywriting, interior design, advertising, floral arranging or other plant-based arts, tattooing, marketing, industrial design, graphic design, web design, or others.
We recognize that often work that we are passionate about isn’t always the work that brings in enough to pay for rent, food, and other necessities; this survey will ask you to share where the work or career that you are passionate about fits into your life.
This information will assist our fundraising efforts during our capital campaign and inform our future strategies to support our diverse community of entrepreneurs or those pursuing a change in career.
