Community Corner

Neighborhood Grocer Pitches in to Save Historic Clubhouse

The Grand Food Center plans to offer The Winnetka Club a 3 percent rebate on purchases made throughout 2012.

For more than 100 years, The Winnetka Club has orchestrated community events from its clubhouse, 485 Maple Street. With less revenue this year, the club faces an uncertain future for its building.

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"As with everybody else, the economy hit us," said Marsha Rodes, executive secretary of the club.

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"There are fewer members and less participation in activities, which means less income."

A decline in group participation is reflected in national statistics. According to the 2010 Civic Health Assessment, which was organized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, 15.4 percent of Americans participated in a group. In 1996, 59 percent of adults belonged to a community or professional organization, according to the National Household Education Survey.

To strengthen the organization's bottom line, The Grand Food Center agreed on Jan. 3 to offer a 3 percent rebate on purchases during 2012.

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Known as "Food for Funds," the grocery's program allows customers to give their receipts to The Winnetka Club, which then returns them to the grocery throughout the year. Hazel Byerly, the Grand's human resources administrator for nearly 18 years, tallies up the pre-tax spendings, determines the three-percent earnings and writes a check.

"It’s a win-win situation," she said. "People raise money for their organization and we get people shopping locally with us."

In the past decade, Food for Funds has raised money for about 15 local schools. On Wednesday, Byerly was finishing up December's donation numbers, and said total donations for the month would be more than several thousand dollars.

"We’re giving back to the community so people come to us instead of big box stores," she said, referencing the two Grand locations in and . "People want to help each other out in times of economic uncertainty."

Leaders of The Winnetka Club plan to combine the Food for Funds donations with proceeds from their largest fundraiser, The Winnetka Club Housewalk, in May. But with about $100,000 in costs, and between $80,000 to $90,000 in revenue, the budget is tight. Rodes noted that the club is not running at a deficit.

"We don't anticipate the club going anywhere, but we shall see what happens," Rodes said.

To become a member or to find information for the club's upcoming event, "Organizing Your Home to Show and Sell" on Jan. 19, visit the club's website.

You can find more articles from this ongoing series, “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream” from across the country at The Huffington Post.

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