AFC + ASF Back to School Supply Drive
Join us this August for the First Ever Ashland Food Co-op + Ashland Schools Foundation Back-to-School Supply Drive! We are looking for donations of new or gently used supplies to bolster learning and skill building opportunities for local scholars and creatives. The Co-op Community Classroom is proud to host this shopping event for our community!
How does the supply drive work? In the allotted days leading up to the event, please drop your new or gently used items off between the hours of 9am and 5pm, a volunteer will be there to receive your items and ensure their quality before accepting.
How does “shopping” work? The Classroom will be open to the community for two days, and much like a clothing swap, feel free to grab anything you want or need with no purchase! We highly recommend that parents and students bring their provided supply lists to stock up before the school year begins. This event will also feature opportunities for monetary donations directly to the foundation!
Supply donations will only be accepted at the Co-op Community Classroom (300 N Pioneer St) between the dates of *Sunday, August 9th from 9am-5pm through Wednesday, August 12th from 9am-5pm
*No donations will be accepted before or after these times.
The public will be welcome to “shop” these donations at the Co-op Community Classroom (300 N Pioneer St) on **Friday, August 15th from 4pm-7pm and Saturday, August 16th from 10am-4pm
**This event is open to all, no Co-op Ownership or purchase necessary!
Please reference DONATION GUIDELINES below,
✅ ACCEPTED
Writing & Paper
- Pens, pencils (wood or mechanical), highlighters, dry-erase/whiteboard markers
- Erasers, pencil sharpeners
- Notebooks, composition books, loose-leaf paper, sticky notes, index cards
- Folders, binders (all sizes), binder dividers, report covers
- Graph paper
- Copy paper
Art Supplies
- New crayons, markers, colored pencils
- New or mostly full paints (tempera, watercolor)
- New or gently used paintbrushes
- Sketchpads, Construction paper
Organization & Carry
- Backpacks (clean, functional zippers/straps)
- Pencil cases/pouches
- Lunch boxes/bags (clean, no odor)
- Plastic storage containers will be assessed and accepted based on response
Classroom & Study Tools
- Working Calculators (basic and scientific)
- Rulers, protractors, compasses
- Scissors (student and teacher pairs)
- Glue sticks and glue bottles (unopened or mostly full, not dried out)
- Tape, staplers, staples, paper clips, binder clips
- Whiteboards (personal-size), whiteboard erasers
Hygiene/Comfort Items *New + Packaged Only*
- Tissues
- Hand Sanitizer
🚫 NOT ACCEPTED
- Clothing (bring it to the HUB at 1618 Ashland St instead!)
- Books (bring them to the Book Exchange at 90 N Pioneer St or Goodwill at 777 Jefferson St instead!)
- Musical Instruments
- Broken or missing-piece items: scissors that don't cut, calculators that don't turn on, zippers that don't close
- Dried-out or leaking supplies: dead markers, dried glue, crusty paint
- Crumpled, used or stained paper
- Items with writing/names/personal info already on them
- Sharp items or cutting tools other than standard scissors
- Furniture
- Food
- Craft-specific supplies: yarn, beads, fabric, glitter
- Technology: computers, tablets, headphones
We can't wait to see you there!
For more info about the Ashland Schools Foundation, visit www.ashlandschoolsfoundation.org
More Co-op News
The Power of Principle Seven
By Emile Amarotico, General Manager
As we approach the holidays, I’d like to invoke the spirit of the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community. The International Cooperative Alliance defines Principle Seven as when “cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.”
So how does that work? How does Ashland Food Co-op demonstrate concern for community?
The Co-op is Certified Organic! What does that mean?
By Barry Haynes, Store Manager
Did you know that the Ashland Food Co-op is the only Certified Organic Retailer in southern Oregon. Well, that’s great! But what does that actually mean?
Love Local with the Local Guy
Throughout September, we will be celebrating all things local. And no one loves local or is more local than our Temporary Demo Coordinator, Brighton Litjens. He was basically raised at the Co-op, has a strong passion for local farmers and producers and loves delighting shoppers with delicious samples and great deals. Who better to tell us about loving local than the "Local Guy" himself?
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Owner Benefits: Independence and Connection
By Julie O'Dwyer, Board Secretary, Chair of the Owner Engagement Committee
Meet Board of Director Trine Ostergaard
Trine Ostergaard is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. She brings a world, literally, of experience to the table and has a sincere passion and love for the Co-op. We are thrilled to have her aboard and asked her to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Meet Board of Director Dean Williamson
Dean Williamson is a newly elected Ashland Food Co-op Board of Director. He brings to the table a plethora of co-op experience and a love of chocolate chip cookies. We are thrilled to have him aboard and asked him to answer a few questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Staff Picks: Favorite Local Products
September is Love Local Month! All month long we’re celebrating our local farmers and vendors with demos, events and more. Here are some of our staff's favorite local products.
How Can I Reduce My Plastic Use at the Co-op?
By Rianna Koppel, Sustainability Coordinator
Plastic pollution today is a global dilemma. Did you know that more than 40% of plastic is used once, then tossed? In 2015, 79% of total plastic waste ended up in landfills or the environment. How can our co-op help reduce the amount of single-use plastics? Luckily, we offer a variety of options for owners.
Stainless Steel Straws
Meet Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
By Lauren Taber, Pachamama Coffee Cooperative
Pachamama Coffee Cooperative started in 2001 with a few simple questions in mind: what would it look like to take Fair Trade a step further? How can coffee farmers be in direct relationship with end consumers in the United States?
We found that the answer was even simpler: cooperative ownership. Pachamama Coffee has been 100% farmer-owned since day one, and is currently owned by 140,000 small scale family farmers across the coffee producing regions of the world.
Community Cider Backyard Fruit Drive
How often can you browse the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, see a bottle of hand crafted, local cider and say, “Hey, I help make that!” Well, at the Co-op you can.
2018 Board Election Results
The AFC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the results of the 2018 Board Election. There were three excellent candidates running for two Board positions. In total, 905 votes were cast.
Congratulations to the following candidates who will serve three-year terms on the Ashland Food Co-op Board of Directors.
Thank you for voting!
.png)
Meet Store Manager Barry Haynes
By Barry Haynes, Store Manager
Twenty three years ago my wife and I began our quest to relocate our family from the midwest to the west coast. We were looking for a beautiful area with an engaged community that would enable our children to thrive. Equally important, we wanted our new home to have a vibrant natural food store. When we arrived in southern Oregon, we felt as though we hit the jackpot.
Beat the Heat
When the heat of summer takes over, it can be hard on our bodies and moods. Don’t let the scorching temps get you down, cool off with one of these refreshing Staff recommendations.
Report from the Board of Directors: Strategic Plan Update
By Jeff Golden, External Relations Committee Chair
Ashland Food Co-op is striding into the future with careful intention. We’re especially focused on the three top priorities of our strategic planning process, a collaboration of our board and management team. A quick update: