Litter Caterpillars

A Guide to Partnering with Mid America Paper Recycling Co

Let me tell you how I started Litter Caterpillars. It wasn't just about cleaning Chicago's parks. It was about cleaning up my own life. I wrote this guide for you—all the other groups out there like ours, people driven by a need to see real, tangible change. Turning Our Passion into a Partnership I’ll never…

March 28, 2026
7 Incredible Chicago Walking Tours Self Guided for 2026

I used to see Chicago's streets as just a grid, a map to get from point A to point B. A blur. Then, one Saturday, I did something different. I grabbed a trash bag, a litter picker, and went for a walk. But I wasn't just walking; I was seeing. The city wasn't just a…

March 28, 2026
Your Guide to a Wildly Successful Native Plant Sale

A community plant sale isn't just about selling a few flowers. It’s an act of creation. It's your group's chance to bring a forgotten corner of your city back to life, and I want to show you how it can get people excited about a mission they can actually see and touch. Turn Your Passion…

March 28, 2026
Finding a CSA Near Me: 7 Incredible Chicago Programs for 2026

I want to tell you a story. It’s about my fridge. A few years back, that thing was a graveyard of good intentions. You know the scene: four-year-old jam from a Michigan trip, a dusty bag of almonds from a failed health kick. Each item felt like a 500-pound weight of personal failure, a tiny,…

March 27, 2026
My Old Vacuum’s Last Ride: A Guide to Recycling Vacuum Cleaners in Chicago and Beyond

So, you’re staring at that old vacuum and wondering, can I actually recycle this thing? Let me tell you straight up: you absolutely can. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep a big, clunky piece of e-waste out of our ever-growing landfills. I’ve found the best way to get started is…

March 26, 2026
How Chicago Fights Ocean Plastic Pollution Globally

Let's be real—the vast blue ocean can feel a million miles away from my life here in Chicago. But the crisis of ocean plastic pollution is closer than you think. It's a problem that connects our city streets directly to the heart of the planet. I want to show you how, through an invisible, relentless…

March 25, 2026
Your Guide to Chicago Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities

You feel that nudge, don't you? A quiet but persistent pulse telling you to do something real for Chicago. I know it well. Becoming a chicago food bank volunteer is one of the most direct ways I’ve found to answer that call, turning my time into a full table for a neighbor. Why This Work…

March 24, 2026
Your Guide to the Casa Catalina Food Pantry Chicago IL

That feeling when you open the fridge and it’s almost empty? It’s a heavy weight, a stone in your gut. I get it. I want to help lift some of that weight by walking you through exactly how you can get help at the Casa Catalina Food Pantry Chicago IL. No confusing steps, no judgment—just…

March 23, 2026
Mary Bartelme Park: Your Guide to Chicago’s West Loop Oasis

I remember walking through the West Loop when it was all grit and noise. The energy was electric, sure, but frantic. Then you step into Mary Bartelme Park, and it’s like the whole city exhales. This isn't just a patch of grass; it’s a story. This place is the neighborhood's backyard, a living, breathing testament…

March 22, 2026
What Is Transformational Leadership and How It Changes You

So, what exactly is transformational leadership? I'll tell you. It’s not about barking orders. It’s a leadership style that inspires you, me, and everyone around us to grow, step up, and become leaders ourselves. It’s about igniting a genuine, positive change. That Time a Hailstorm Revealed True Leadership My life felt like a mess. A…

March 21, 2026