City of Des Plaines
City Manager’s Office
Division of Health & Human Services
1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Tel: 847-391-5480
Fax: 847-391-5484
Date: August 14, 2008
To: Tony Arredia, Mayor
Jason Bajor, City Manager
Des Plaines City Council
From: Kathy Puetz, Director of Health and Human Services
Subject: Bessie’s Table-Finalist in the 2008 Governor’s Home Town Award Program
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The Governor’s Home Town Awards Program formally recognizes a community’s improvement efforts, which depend upon the voluntary commitment of community residents and organizations. The program gives statewide recognition to these volunteer efforts for achieving objectives during each calendar year.
As in past years, Health and Human Services Division sought out community programs and projects that improved the quality of life of its residents with heavy involvement from community volunteers. In April, the Division nominated volunteers of Bessie’s Table to compete in the Governor’s Home Town Award Program.
Bessie’s Table provides a free nutritious meal every Monday evening at the First Methodist Church –September through July. Much like Bessie’s Table namesake, founder Anne Holmberg’s mother, visitors find fellowship and refuge. The program has continued to grow from only a dozen visitors in October 2003 to 65-75 weekly visitors this year. The program has no paid staff and runs entirely on volunteers and in-kind donations.
In July Bessie’s Table received notification that they were among the finalist projects in the 2008 Governor’s Home Town Awards Program. This fall the volunteers will be invited to the Governor’s Home Towns Awards banquet where they will be recognized and are eligible to be considered for the Governor’s Cup Finalist.
Past Governor’s Home Town Awards Program finalist in our community include:
Des Plaines Meals on Wheels Program
Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership
Citizens on Patrol
Self-Help Closet & Food Pantry
Lake Park Memorial Pavilion
It’s all of our community volunteers that make a difference by creating a positive climate in which businesses and families want to live and work. Congratulations Bessie’s Table.
