Our story begins with the visionary drive of Janet Evans, a resident of Palos Heights, Illinois, who in the spring of 2018, expressed her desire to aid women escaping domestic violence and homelessness. Encouraged by several friends who wished to join her in this cause, Zelda's Kitchen Witches was formed and a board of directors established.

 

Their collective decision was to provide new kitchen items to women and their children who are survivors of domestic violence, or previously unhoused, and moving into independent housing, safe from abuse and violence. They named the group Zelda's Kitchen Witches (ZKW), a name that combines Janet's childhood nickname, Zelda, with the Scandinavian folklore of the kitchen witch that symbolizes good fortune.

 

Initially partnering with the domestic violence support services organization Crisis Center for South Suburbia, ZKW expanded its reach to include partnerships with Home2Home Project, and Suburban Service League.

 

On average, Zelda's Kitchen Witches stocks the kitchens of five households each month. It costs an average of $1,500 to stock a kitchen with essentials, a cost that has been increasing over the past few years.