The Co-op Calendar

The Fare Share Commons is the sunny storefront beside the Fare Share Market. Through many volunteer hours and support from the Maine Communities Foundation (MCF) and MainStreet Foundation (Androscoggin Bank), Fare Share has been able to keep this space open and accessible for public use.

“The Commons” was first imagined by a committee that met first in December 2000. The committee articulated its mission and focused on the Grand Opening events (April 2001) which they spearheaded and made a huge success. The mission of the Commons is to provide a welcoming & inspiring space to build a healthy and sustainable community (via community dialogue on the connections between food, sustainable living and social issues; self-expression and the arts; and information and resource sharing).

Activities in the Commons have been lively and varied and have included:

• a five-part macrobiotic cooking class
  
• an AIDS-prevention seminar
  
• concerts (artists split proceeds with The Commons 70/30)
  
• meetings and openings of the Commons Arts Collective
  
• an art gallery open Thu & Fri 3-6; Sat 10-2
  
• bridge games
  
• rehearsals by a local chorale
  
• auditions for a community play
  
• R.E.A.C.H “Speak Out event” and art show
  
• a poetry reading and a “Writers Read”
  
• boogie bashes (dances)
  
• a series of potluck dinners
  
• gallery talks
  
• Maine Writers and Publishers Association writers jams
  
• Lance-catered breakfasts and lunches
  
• private parties
  
• Fare Share General Membership meetings
  
• The Healing Arts Collective
  
• MOMs - Mom'm Meeting Other Mom's led by Marty Elkin

The Commons is available for use for $10/hour. We also ask that individuals contribute $1 each to the donation box to help keep the space open and available for all to use. Guidelines and more information are available from Fare Share staff.