Ice cream and libraries might seem like an unexpected pairing—but they’re both about bringing people together. That’s why Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is teaming up with the Chicago Public Library Foundation for a series of ice cream social fundraisers that celebrate community, curiosity, and connection.
In this Q&A, we talk with Ashley Bolte, Fundraising Leader for Chicago and St. Louis, and Rachel Markovich, Local Marketing Director, about their connection to libraries, what inspired this collaboration, and what you can expect at the August 7 fundraiser.
Can you tell us a little about your store and the community you serve?
Ashley: At Jeni’s, we believe ice cream is for everyone. Our 10 Chicago-area scoop shops are more than just places to grab ice cream — they’re community hubs. Each location is designed to be a warm, welcoming space where people come together to celebrate, reconnect, or simply enjoy a moment of joy over a scoop (or two!). We’re proud to be part of the communities we serve, and through initiatives like our ice cream social fundraisers, we aim to give back and support local organizations.
What inspired you to partner with the Library Foundation for this fundraiser?
Ashley: As a child of a librarian who grew up in the library, they hold a special place in my heart. Libraries provide community, education, media, modes of escapism and fantasy, and programs for some of us who couldn’t afford clubs and other extracurricular activities, or just wanted to bond with like-interested people. Libraries are community. They’re places for gathering, education, and exploration. We wanted to support all of these reasons (and so many more).
Why do you believe supporting libraries is important for the community?
Rachel: Libraries have always been an area we feel passionate about supporting in any way we can. In the early days, before Jeni’s even existed as a company, Jeni would spend hours reading every cookbook, travel book, and business book she could find to get insight and inspiration. The library was the place she’d go to spark her creativity, especially when travel or school wasn’t something she could afford. Jeni drew so much inspiration from the stories and characters she encountered there. We’ve released flavors inspired by authors, such as Walt Whitman and Zelda Fitzgerald, and even scenes from books, such as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Libraries are so foundational to the communities they serve, providing education, inspiration, and joy for so many. Libraries will always be a core part of who we are at Jeni’s, and we feel passionate about supporting them in any way we can.
Can you share what customers can expect at the ice cream social? What do you hope people take away from this partnership?
Rachel: We hope our ice cream social fundraisers are a space where neighbors can gather over a shared cause and passion. It’s fun to see customers come together for a cause they love, and then to share that joy over a scoop of ice cream. During the fundraiser on Aug. 7, we’ll feature a fun flavor pairing called The Gooey Decimal System — a half scoop of Gooey Butter Cake ice cream and a half scoop of Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks ice cream in our homemade Buttercrisp Waffle Bowl. It’s a fun way to order something new, and we absolutely love the name that Chicago Public Library Foundation picked!
What kind of impact are you hoping this fundraiser will have?
Rachel: In addition to the donation the event will generate, we hope the fundraiser sparks inspiration in the community to continue to support our local libraries and everything they have to offer. Maybe it’s a new program that they notice and mark their calendar for — or maybe it’s just renewing their library card and getting back into reading. Reminding our guests how important our local libraries are to our communities would be a success.
Do you have a personal memory or connection to libraries that made this cause meaningful to you?
Ashley: Very much so! My mother is a retired librarian and my father worked at our local library in Pittsburgh, as did my brother and I. We grew up in libraries. The summer reading programs were always my favorite part of the summer. When I was in fourth grade, I had an injury that kept me in bed for a couple of weeks, and my mother would rent movies from the library to keep me entertained. I watched The Wiz and Little Shop of Horrors over and over again, and they are still two of my favorite movies.
Rachel: We spent a lot of time at our local library when I was young. I remember getting my first library card and scanning the shelves for a new book in the chapter series I loved. I have three kids now, and we spend a lot of time at the library as a family. Our local summer reading program is always a hit, and no surprise here, we celebrate with ice cream when they complete the challenge!
How does this fundraiser align with your store’s values or mission?
Rachel: Our mission is to make better ice creams and bring people together, so nothing makes us happier than doing both of these at once with the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
What can people look forward to with our partnership?
Ashley: I’m so excited to have this relationship with the Chicago Public Library Foundation. We will have several more ice cream social fundraisers leading up to the Library Foundation Awards in October and in the winter for the giving season.
Lastly, some fun “This or That” questions. Books or eBooks?
Ashley: Books, but I keep a couple of eBooks/and audio books for waiting rooms and traveling.
Rachel: Books for sure!
Fiction or nonfiction?
Ashley: Fiction
Rachel: I love both, but mostly fiction
Thank you to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams for supporting our city’s libraries. Join us in store on Wednesday, August 7, 2025, at the Southport location (3404 N. Southport) and Connors Park location (871 N. Wabash) for a special ice cream social fundraiser benefiting the
Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Can’t make it in? Stay tuned for future events and ways to support.
