CARBONDALE, Ill. — On Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Carbondale Farmers Market, community members can donate or purchase cookbooks for the cookbook fundraiser to benefit the community. Good Samaritan Pantry.

Confluence Books has been hosting the fundraiser since 2022 to raise money for the local food pantry.

Sarah Heyer owns Confluence Books and organizes the cookbook fundraiser. She regularly sells books at the Carbondale Farmers Market and started the annual fundraiser to support local charities.

“Every Saturday we come to the farmers market and sell books. But today is a special day…all the money goes to the local food pantry, Good Samaritan Food Pantry,” Heyer said.

The organization already has hundreds of cookbooks, with more expected; no book donation is required to participate.

Donations are unlimited; customers can choose what they want to pay. Confluence Books will manage the remaining cookbooks for future use, either at the bookstore, other farmers’ markets, or for recycling.

Evelyn Shalofsky is a community member and regular customer who enjoys checking out Confluence Books selections and supporting local charities.

“It goes to a really good cause and it helps so many people,” Shalofsky said. “You just have to help someone, and then it keeps going.”

Click here to learn more about Confluence Books and its benefits to the local community.