BriarPatch Co-op backs local groups with donations

Four local groups recently received $500 each from BriarPatch Co-op Market’s Cooperative Community Fund: Nevada County Grown, Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, Bitney College Prep High School, and Hospitality House.

Nevada County Grown requested funds to help host their “Bounty of the County” educational event, which raises community awareness of local agriculture. Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release will use the funds to buy food for the injured or orphaned small mammals and songbirds in their care. Bitney High School’s funding will purchase a water dispenser to encourage the use of refillable bottles. Hospitality House requested funds to purchase insulated food carriers.

Established in 1999 by BriarPatch Co-op and Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation, the grant program is structured to give annual grants of the interest income that is generated by the fund, which today totals over $100,000.

“Contributing to our community is one of the founding principles of BriarPatch Co-op, as it is for all co-ops,” said Chris Maher, BriarPatch’s General Manager, noting a fundamental distinction of cooperative businesses as compared to many other businesses.

The granting cycle for the program begins each year in July, with applications due by August 31.

BriarPatch also recently selected local organizations to be recipients of its Co-op CAUSE shopper donation program for 2016. CAUSE stands for “Change Adds Up, Supporting Everyone,” as funds are raised from shoppers who donate the change from their purchases as they check out.

The groups selected for this program were: SYRCL, for their annual River Cleanup; The Friendship Club, for their cooking program; Sierra Nevada Children’s Services, for garden and nutrition education classes for childcare providers; Hospitality House; the Food Bank of Nevada County; and Sierra Harvest.

These groups will be featured in the store for two months each.

—BriarPatch Co-op

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