This Holiday Season, Keep It Local

Buying local is an important part of growing our economy. Again this year, Local First Chicago, along with the Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, Choose Chicago, neighborhood chambers of commerce and businesses and community organizations have organized Unwrap Chicago: Eat, Drink & Buy Local, a campaign for the 2012 holiday season to educate Chicagoland residents about the community economic benefits of shopping at locally owned, independent businesses.

Consumers can make a pledge to shift $100 of their holiday spending from chains to local stores and be entered in a raffle for great prizes.

The campaign, sponsored in part by Natural Awakenings Chicago North and North Shore magazine, is a grassroots effort and needs volunteers to make this year’s effort bigger than ever. There are real jobs to fill, with real world challenges and responsibilities. It’s a great chance for anyone to add skills and experience to their resume. Volunteers can work on a small task that takes a couple of hours or assume a leadership role.

To read 50 Great Businesses in 50 Great Wards and find resources, visit EatDrinkBuyLocal.org.