— from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op
Two years ago, Orcas Food Co-op launched a Community Shopping Day program called “3% Thursdays”. On the third Thursday of each month 3% of the gross receipts of Orcas Food Co-op are donated to pre-selected community organizations. Last month, 3% Thursday and Round up at the register sales contributed a total of $1569.48 to Farm to Cafeteria program. This month the Orcas Montessori School will benefit on Thursday, September 20.
The Montessori classroom offers children a wealth of hands-on activities. Each activity is presented individually and in keeping with each child’s needs and abilities, under observation of a trained guide. Orcas Montessori School helps its students create a community of learners in which the younger students observe the developing skills of the older students, while the older children develop leadership skills and help the younger students. This approach fosters independent learning and a lively, cooperative system.
You can also Round-up at the Register all month long to donate to Orcas Montessori School. It’s easy to Round Up your purchase. When your cashier asks you if you want to round up for Orcas Montessori School, simply say “Yes!” and you can help support the youth of the island. If you’d like to donate more than the roundup you can do that too. Just let your cashier know the amount you want to donate, and they can add it to your transaction. Donating to a great cause couldn’t get much simpler than that!
Organizations are eligible for the program based on their service to the community in the following areas: local community service organizations, organic food, healthy food for children or seniors, environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, human rights, environmental preservation and groups with similar missions and values. The Co-op strives to collaborate with community partners to promote local organizations and their values to our members and the community at large.
If you have any questions please contact the Co-op’s Marketing Specialist, Susannah Weaver, at (360) 376-2009 or email marketing@orcasfood.coop.
Just want to pass this along for public consumption:
As members of the Coop we delight in being asked to top off our purchases for various causes. One can always say no. But more often than not it provides some of us who multi-task way too much an easy way to step up. It all adds up as is shown here. When I was asked to donate change to the Montessori school a couple weeks ago it brought a smile to my face; and it subtly caused me to return the next day for a repeat experience…good for the Coop’s bottom line and that of many good causes. This makes being a member more meaningful.
Thank you, Orcas Food Coop.