Change for Good

 

2020 was the first year of the Change for Good partnership, a register round-up program to benefit a monthly slate of organizations, voted on by Co-op owners, through the cumulative donations of shoppers choosing to round-up their shopping total to the nearest dollar.
 

This is a recording of an informational webinar that is sharing information on our Change for Good program, the application process, and timeline.

Our Change for Good Application deadline is ๐Ÿต:๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฌ๐—ฝ๐—บ, ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฐ๐—ต ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿณ๐˜๐—ต, ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿญ.

The application can be found in the Change for Good section of our AFC Gives webpage

 

To learn more about AFC Gives and its funding programs, please visit ashlandfood.coop/afcgives

 

Here are some highlights from the webinar:

Organizations must:
   โ€ข Have documented tax-exempt status to be eligible
   โ€ข Have a Co-op member listed in the Organization or on the Board of Directors
   โ€ข Meet at least one of the AFC Gives priorities (detailed below)
   โ€ข Operate in Jackson or Josephine Counties

Featured Change for Good organizations will be required to:
   โ€ข Offer an info table at the Coop for two hours, twice per month (on hold until Covid distancing is lifted)
   โ€ข Provide marketing images and info for the Co-op's:
      - Weekly Sales Flyer (pending available real estate on flyer/insert)
      - Social Media posts (2)
      - E-Mail Blasts (2)
      - Printed Posters in Store (TBD)
      - Customer Displays (at each register and a larger display on the Community Monitor above the soup bar)
   โ€ข Provide a brief explanation of the organization's mission and work (for cashiers' interactions with customers)
   โ€ข Media:
      - Logo (AI or high-quality PNG)
      - 4-8 photos/videos/other content to share in marketing channels.
      - Any projects, stories or other information you'd like the Co-op to highlight.
      - An email (and optional social media postings) to your list encouraging your supporters to round-up for Change for Good during your featured month.

For 2021, we are looking for nonprofit organizations to partner monthly with the Co-op and its owners in support of five priorities:

  • ๐—˜quity, ๐——iversity, ๐—œnclusion - Support for organizations that specifically focus on increasing diversity, supporting equity and inclusion and educate the public on anti-racism.
  • ๐—•๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ฐ ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐˜€ - Support for housing and homelessness; providing for food, shelter, and clothing; and addressing the needs of children in or on the edge of poverty.
  • ๐—–๐—น๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ - Support for developing climate resiliency and sustainability.
  • ๐—›๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜๐—ต๐˜† ๐—™๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ฑ - Increasing the awareness and viability of local food producers and support for sustainable agriculture.
  • ๐—–๐˜‚๐—น๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ - Highlighting the arts and cultural programs that bring awareness to the coop principles of community, equity, and sustainability.

 

Applications will require an explanation of how the work of your organization addresses one or more of these priorities.

 

More Co-op News

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A Conversation with Katie Falkenberg, Photographer and Filmmaker

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January Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Mentoring

Since 2005, Rogue Valley Mentoring (formerly the Rose Circle Mentoring Network) has trained over 500 adults who have mentored over 2,000 youth in our valley; letting young people know that they are not alone. A caring and compassionate ear shows them that they matter, and they they are experts of their own experience.

Rogue Valley Mentoring Circle

Shopping Safely & Efficiently

 

As coronavirus cases increase in Jackson County, the Co-op is taking extra precautions to protect shoppers and employees. 

To ensure social distancing in the store, the number of persons allowed in the store at once has been reduced to 50% capacity. Understandably, this may lead to a short wait outside of the store, but please be assured the line moves quickly.

In order to keep the wait as short as possible, here are a few steps you can take to help out:

10 Ways to Shine Your Light in Dark Times

By Allan Weisbard L.C.S.W.

 

Since 1963, autumn has been a difficult time for me. Two months shy of my 13th birthday I lost my younger brother to cancer, then shortly afterwards, President Kennedy was assassinated.

Masks Required for All In-Store Shoppers

To protect the health of Co-op staff and shoppers, all shoppers and other visitors on Ashland Food Co-op property must wear face coverings over mouth and nose except when dining in an approved area. As of November 11, 2020, face shields will not be permitted unless worn with a mask. 

From the Board: Co-ops Look in the Mirror

By Annie Hoy, Board Secretary and Chair of Owner Engagement Committee

Food Co-ops around the nation proudly display signage saying EVERYONE WELCOME. Or they use the slogan, โ€œAnyone can shop. Anyone can join.โ€ But are food co-ops, and other cooperative businesses, walking the walk? 

November/December GM Update: Overcoming Challenges

Itโ€™s probably already cliche to say โ€œitโ€™s been one heck of a year.โ€ There have been challenges a-plenty for all of us, whether weโ€™re working or shopping at the Co-op - but Iโ€™m so proud of how all of us have persevered. 

End of year wrap-up on Strategic Energy Management at the Co-op

Hi there. I hope this finds you well. Itโ€™s me, Nina Friedman, Strategic Energy Management (SEM) intern for the Ashland Food Co-op. The global and local crises have only devolved into further chaos since we last spoke. As we sit with the reality of coworkers, neighbors, and friends whoโ€™ve lost their homes and businesses to the recent fires, and thousands more across the nation losing their loved ones to COVID-19, I imagine many are feeling frozen and powerless to help those that are suffering.

SNAP in the Co-op Kitchen and Thanksgiving

Use your SNAP EBT benefits for all Co-op Kitchen items through November 20th, 2020!

Recognizing the difficulties in food preparation for families who lost their homes in the local wildfires, the State of Oregon has expanded SNAP benefits to be used for hot foods, like made-to-order and hot bar meals from the Co-op Kitchen, through November 20.

And starting on November 16, you can get an early taste of Thanksgiving as the Co-op Kitchen hot bar rolls out the full Thanksgiving spread. 

Black Lives Matter

We acknowledge that the Ashland Food Co-op has not had a culture where all employees and community members felt safe sharing their experiences of discrimination in our store. We apologize for this. We are on a learning journey. We have reached out for help, and are listening to our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) employees and owners who want to be part of the positive change we seek.

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Vendors & businesses donating to relief efforts

From day one of the Almeda Fires, the Co-op team wanted to help the community. They reached out to vendors across the region and country to ask for their help with products, supplies and food to get to the fire victims.

And that help came through in big ways, getting nutritious food to displaced families, home supplies in high demand, and wellness and food for first responders and firefighters. Thank you for supporting these businesses as thanks for their help in our community's relief efforts.