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Community
Help build your community

The Co-op holds all kinds of charitable events throughout the year. Big or small, local or national, we feel it is important to support organizations that match values of community, health, sustainability, and the environment. 

 

Locally, we support smaller organizations that have a regional impact through our Wooden Nickels program. Shoppers receive a Wooden Nickel for every bag-able purchase when they bring their own bag to take it home in. They can then donate that Wooden Nickel to one of two nonprofits. These nonprofits are chosen quarterly from suggestions made by staff, customers, owners, and community members.

 

Note: Our program had a few changes during COVID. We discontinued the use of the wooden nickel temporarily, however the purpose remained the same. We started taking cash donations for organizations as well, and pass these along with our Wooden Nickel match directly to the nonprofit organizations.

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To apply for our Wooden Nickel program please fill out our Donation Request Form

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Other community donations: If you would like support for an event you have coming up, please let us know. Our resources are limited, but we will provide what we can.  Fill out our online Donation Request Form.
 

Our Donations Policy

Organizations must be a registered 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit; must be nonpartisan (not affiliated with or promoting any political issue, party, or candidate); cannot discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability; should benefit Southern Illinois communities and their citizens; are fundraising for programs that are not intended to advance a particular religious belief; and are fundraising for programs that meet all of the above criteria.

For any purchase requiring a bag, when you bring your own reusable bag, you will receive a wooden nickel per transaction to donate to one of two regional charities that change each quarter. You decide which organization to donate to. (Wooden Nickel donations are capped at $250 per organization. However, all cash donations will be given to the organization in addition to the Wooden Nickel contribution.)

4th Quarter Recipients: October-December 2023

Wooden Nickels

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Cauldron and Fire Cultural Development Center

We are an education based not for profit focused on cultural diversity. We enrich and encourage kids and families to come together through creative arts programs including but not limited to art classes with Mrs. Dhana, a 30 year art teacher. 

 

We also provide music instruction including voice, guitar, piano, cello and drums. We work to bring together art exhibits that provide a local outlet to artist and photographers. We provide a listening room for hosting events. We hope to continue as we have just completed our first year of service to the community. 

 

To learn more, visit https://www.thecauldroncenternfp.org/

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Family Advocacy Services

Our mission is to empower families to overcome the challenges they face, such as poverty, family violence, and low academic achievement. We do this by providing a variety of services, including counseling, financial assistance, and educational support.

 

We are seeking funding to expand the Fresh Start Restorative Justice Program and to launch a new after-school program for at-risk youth. The after-school program will provide a safe and supportive environment for youth to engage in positive activities, receive academic support, and develop life skills.

 

Our Fresh Start Restorative Justice Program works with first-time youth offenders to help them understand the impact of their actions and make amends with their victims. The program is facilitated by trained professionals and is based on the principles of restorative justice, which emphasizes accountability, healing, and community. This program has been incredibly successful in helping youth offenders turn their lives around.

 

An investment in our organization would have a profound impact on the lives of low-income families and youth in our community.

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To learn more, visit https://www.familyadvocacyservices.org/

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