The Abundance Foundation

The Abundance Foundation was born from the collaboration of two co-ops—Chatham Marketplace and Piedmont Biofuels. They started the organization to carry out specific sustainability projects, all while teaching residents about local food, renewable energy, and community. The foundation's first project brought warm water to students in an elementary school through the use of solar power. Aiming to make all of its activities fun and engaging, it now conducts children's sustainability and energy tours that teach youth where their food and energy come from. Its do-it-yourself sustainability workshops teach adults about eco-projects, including how to make cheese, soap, and bread from scratch, and how to practice organic gardening or beekeeping.