GM Update: 2020 SEED Program Recipients
I am pleased to announce the eight Community Choice recipients for our 2020 Seed Program. These recipients include: Community Crops, Mental Health Association of Nebraska, Southern Heights Food Forest, Friendship Home, Wildlife Rescue Team, Lincoln Indian Center, ShelterMe, and Voices of Hope.
Community Choice recipients were selected through a staff-led committee and the democratic vote of co-op owners in February. I want to especially thank all owners and staff who participated in the nomination and voting process!
Robust community donations are just one-way we live out our cooperative values at Open Harvest. The Seed Program is a new simple, yet powerful, giving opportunity that allows patrons to “round-up” their grocery bill for local organizations that share a commitment to a healthy community, sustainable food system, and strong local economy. Each month one Community Choice recipient will be highlighted in promotional materials online and in-store. Representatives from the organization will also have the opportunity to connect with co-op customers in the store through tabling events.
You may wonder where we got this idea – it certainly wasn’t our own! We were inspired by co-ops across the country (Seward Food Co-op, Belfast Food Co-op, and Medford Food Co-op) of all sizes, who support their community non-profits in this same manner. It’s so simple, and we think it’s going to have a huge impact.
We know that not everyone is able to pitch in large sums of money, but a little change here and there is accessible for most folks. When lots of people do a little each day it can really have a huge impact.
All proceeds raised in March will be donated to Community Crops – and we are off to a great start!
To view the 2020 Community Recipient schedule and other details about the program, including live fundraising tracker, can be found on the Open Harvest website: www.openharvest.coop/seed/
I can’t wait to start handing out our own giant checks to these brilliant and hard-working community leaders every month.
In cooperation,
Amy Tabor
General Manager