EASTHAM – Lower Cape residents are invited to the Community Development Partnership’s 29th annual meeting on Thursday, April 22, which will be conducted virtually on Zoom.
The annual meeting acknowledges the organization’s achievements and important community partners and is also an opportunity for the CDP to share its plans for the future.
The 16th Annual Gwen Pelletier Award for Excellence in Community Service will be presented this year to Vicki Goldsmith, former executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod. Habitat’s core mission is to serve and encourage economic diversity and stability across the Cape by “partnering with families in need of an affordable home to build one of their own; fostering stability, self-reliance and a strong sense of community.”
In her 20 years at Habitat, Goldsmith led staff, volunteers, homeowners, municipal partners and whole communities in the creation of 140 homes. These homes are then sold affordably to proud new homeowners, who enjoy long term housing stability, and with that, new found economic success.
Goldsmith retired in December 2019.
The CDP’s 7th Annual Norm Edinberg Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship will be presented to J’aime and Christian Sparrow, Karen Densmore, and Garret Smythe, owners of Sunbird Kitchen in Orleans.
Sunbird Kitchen began in 2010 as a food truck in Wellfleet. Through a micro-loan from the CDP, the Sparrows were able to access capital to help with start-up food costs and equipment. After a successful couple of years, they opened Sunbird Kitchen, their brick and mortar location in Orleans in 2015. Business partner Karen Densmore joined Jamie and Christian in creating a place for their “flock” to gather throughout the year.
The coronavirus pandemic has provided significant challenges to most restaurants on the Lower Cape and Sunbird Kitchen was no exception. J’aime, Christian, Karen and now with chef/co-owner Garret Smythe have transformed the business into Sunbird Provisions, offering homemade takeout and specialty products. Sunbird Kitchen supports the Lower Cape Community through its collaboration with many local growers and foragers, including Halcyon Farm, Chatham Bars Inn Farm, Lewis Brothers Ice Cream, and Midnight Our Scallops.
This event is free, but registration is required. To register go to: www.capecdp.org/upcoming-events
