Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The Community Space (TCS) recognized their fifth anniversary on February 1 with a Celebration Open House including a potluck picnic. TCS gratefully accepts donations from Feeding America, businesses, and individuals, stocking the large building with food, clothing, furniture, books, and housewares. It’s something like a thrift store with food, except everything is free, and it’s open to all, without restrictions. No one knows if there’s anything like it, anywhere in the country, and it’s run entirely with volunteers and donations. Hours are Tuesday 8:30-11:00 a.m., Wednesday 3:30-7:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – noon. Donations are accepted at the rear of the building during the same hours, up until fifteen minutes before closing. TCS is located at 834 E. Milwaukee Street in Whitewater. The organization recently achieved 501(c)(3) status, and monetary donations may be sent to P. O. Box 213, Whitewater, WI 53190. More information may be found on their website.
Remarks that were given at the celebration by Executive Director Kristine Zaballos, and Site Manager Kay Robers, as well as by Jorge Islas-Martinez and two English as a Second Language (ESL) learners may be viewed here. Zaballos and Robers provided some of the history of the Community Space, including the essential food and services that they provided to many people during the early days of COVID-19. Of particular note was the generosity of the Coburn family in donating the use of the former Coburn Company building for the agreed upon rent of $10 per month. Zaballos indicated that she doesn’t remember ever paying the rent. Islas-Martinez, who co-founded and directs the ESL program for the Whitewater Unified School District, expressed appreciation for the opportunity that TCS has offered to provide space for morning classes. Previously the classes had only been scheduled in the evening at the high school, when some interested people were unable to attend. Anna and Margarita, two of the successful students, spoke and expressed how much of a difference it has made for them to be able to communicate in English.
