Tabletop Gamers for Good

Summary: In this episode, Brad and Jason discuss the STEAM into Star Wars event at Washington Community High School and take a trip down memory lane. Then all three of the Tabletop Gamers for Good crew have a sit-down with Julie Eliathamby from Peoria Grown.

Peoria Grown is a volunteer-led nonprofit committed to making fresh, healthy food accessible to everyone in our community. They are also the non-profit organization that we are raising funds for at our February Con-tribution Pop-Up convention on February 16th.

This conversation explores the challenges and solutions surrounding food access and healthy eating in the Peoria community, particularly through the initiatives of Peoria Grown and Market 309. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement, volunteerism, and innovative approaches to address food deserts and empower families to achieve self-reliance. The speakers share personal stories, insights into their nonprofit model, and future aspirations for creating a sustainable impact in the community.

Peoria Grown is doing some great work in our community. Please take a moment to check out their organization.

Takeaways:

• Healthy eating can be perceived as unaffordable by many families.
• Empowerment and self-reliance are key goals for families in need.
• Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of community initiatives.
• Innovative solutions emerged during COVID-19 to address food access.
• Market 309 was created to provide affordable fresh produce to the community.
• Sustainable nonprofit models require community involvement and support.
• Understanding food deserts is essential for addressing community needs.
• The goal is to create resources that empower families to thrive.
• Community connections are vital for spreading awareness and support.
• Future aspirations include expanding services and increasing accessibility.

In this episode Dan and Brad talk with Julie Bonar and Cara Domaszewicz from Neighborhood House Association Peoria. They discuss the programs that Neighborhood house provides and some of the events they run to support their efforts.

For more information about the topics from this episode, check out:

• Neighborhood House
• Food Fight
• Surgeon General Report on Loneliness
• Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)⁠
• ⁠Foster Village - Peoria⁠
• Alpha Park Library⁠
• Soulside Healing Arts⁠
• Galesburg TCGCon
• Con-tribution Pop-Up March
• PeoriaCon
• Con-tribution Con 2025
• Reserve Artisan Ales
• The Vault
• The Shoppes at Grand Prairie
• Peoria Civic Center
• 3300 Event Center
• Country Club of Peoria
• Fusion 45 / 12 Bar
• Chef Jared Ford
• Suite Fire Bar + Grill
• Chef Seth
• Clink Bar
• Weavers Fresh Food and Drink

We talked to Julie for quite a while and had more material than we could fit into the podcast. In this clip, Julie talks about how the families she serves helped shape Peoria Grown and Market 309.

We talked to Julie for quite a while and had more material than we could fit into the podcast. In this clip, Julie explains how she got started and the project that came before Peoria Grown.

Summary

In this conversation, Brad Price, Dan Crawford and Jason McKee discusses the inception and growth of the Con-tribution initiative, which partners with nonprofit organizations to host tabletop gaming events. The focus is on the upcoming STEAM into Star Wars event, an interview with Tom Gross and Dan Reem, two teachers from Washington Community High School, highlighting its family-friendly nature and the variety of activities planned. The discussion also touches on the importance of community engagement, the role of gaming in education, the significance of volunteerism in supporting local nonprofits, and an emphasis on the need for inclusive gaming experiences that cater to all ages and interests, fostering a sense of community and fun.

Mentioned in this episode:

• STEAM Into Star Wars
• Washington Community High School Library Instagram
• Coffee with Kenobi Podcast
• Rebel Base Card Podcast
• The Hyperion Hub Podcast
• Teachers in the Dungeon Podcast
• Jeremy Berkley
• Olivia J. Bennett
• 501st Legion - Vader's Fist
• IDEA / IDEACON
• The Mandalorian: Adventures Board Game
• Star Wars: Clone Wars Board Game
• Vagrant Song Board Game
• Rhino Hero Super Battle Board Game
• Ticket to Ride Board Game
• Horrified Board Game
• Pandemic Board Game
• Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Neighborhood House Peoria
• Advocates for Access
• Peoria Riverfront Market
• ⁠Waffle Pop⁠
• Cabbages and Kings Games
• Zeek's
• FlatCon 2025
• Con-tribution 2025

Takeaways

• The Con-tribution initiative supports local nonprofits through gaming events.
• STEAM into Star Wars combines education and entertainment for families.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of gaming conventions.
• Games can serve as effective educational tools in schools.
• Volunteerism plays a s...