Bread in the Desert
Donation protected
Chicago's 60628 community that is directly and adversely affected by food apartheid, leaving children, seniors and expectant/new moms particularly vulnerable. Fresh baked goods containing grains from local farmers, fruits, vegetables and herbs can provide a sense of love and care. Most important, they can provide a healthy and affordable alternative to what we are offered at gas stations and other local vendors.
My name is Karla Armour and I grew up in 60628. La Matriz is a small batch operation that offers the best of both my Guyanese and southern African American roots with a fine mixture of traditions and classic culinary techniques. My area went from a thriving community in the 70s to being a casualty of the food apartheid that came with the urban decay in the late 80s and 90s. According to the 2010 U.S. census, nearly 90% of the school aged children in 60628 qualify for free lunch. Over half of the area's seniors are raising grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren. The pandemic and recent riots have worsened our ability to access quality health care and food.
Being closed during the quarantine has hurt La Matriz Bakery ( https://www.lamatrizbakery.com ) like so many other entrepreneurs. My business is too small to receive a bail-out because I did not generate enough revenue in 2019. So I've been gleaning funds from my monthly disability check to pay my operating costs. The Artisan Grain Collective has accepted me in its Neighbor Loaves program, which links local bakeries to local farmers who offer a variety of grains and flours. I plan to use my business as a platform to address both hunger in 60628 and the CDC's #HearHer campaign to heighten awareness of prenatal/postpartum complications. Donations will help me to rent kitchen space to fill orders, purchase supplies, pay administrative/licensing fees to remain compliant and operate without the fear of having to shut down before I ever really had the chance to open. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! #SmallBusinessRelief
My name is Karla Armour and I grew up in 60628. La Matriz is a small batch operation that offers the best of both my Guyanese and southern African American roots with a fine mixture of traditions and classic culinary techniques. My area went from a thriving community in the 70s to being a casualty of the food apartheid that came with the urban decay in the late 80s and 90s. According to the 2010 U.S. census, nearly 90% of the school aged children in 60628 qualify for free lunch. Over half of the area's seniors are raising grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren. The pandemic and recent riots have worsened our ability to access quality health care and food.
Being closed during the quarantine has hurt La Matriz Bakery ( https://www.lamatrizbakery.com ) like so many other entrepreneurs. My business is too small to receive a bail-out because I did not generate enough revenue in 2019. So I've been gleaning funds from my monthly disability check to pay my operating costs. The Artisan Grain Collective has accepted me in its Neighbor Loaves program, which links local bakeries to local farmers who offer a variety of grains and flours. I plan to use my business as a platform to address both hunger in 60628 and the CDC's #HearHer campaign to heighten awareness of prenatal/postpartum complications. Donations will help me to rent kitchen space to fill orders, purchase supplies, pay administrative/licensing fees to remain compliant and operate without the fear of having to shut down before I ever really had the chance to open. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! #SmallBusinessRelief
Organizer
Karla Armour
Organizer
Chicago, IL
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