Valley Natural Foods Gives Out a “Big” Check!
There was a “big check” roaming around the co-op today, did you see it? If not, we will fill you in on what was happening!
Valley Natural Foods was proud to present a $1458. 90 “big check” from its Cooperative Community Fund (CCF) to 360 Communities of Burnsville. Jeff Mortensen, the Senior Director of Innovation/Interim CEO/President and Tony Compton, the Marketing and Communications Manager, were on hand to receive it and of course, the actual check too! 360 Communities is a wonderful non-profit organization that serves our local community through five food shelf locations along with providing domestic violence outreach and prevention support and many other educational opportunities for Dakota County families. Last fall, Valley Natural Foods member owners selected 360 Communities as the recipient of of this fund through the annual online ballot.
Valley Natural Foods is one of over 30 food co-ops across the U.S. involved in this giving program referred to as the Give Where You Live Campaign. Started in 2005, interest accrued on the store’s original investment in this endowment fund is distributed to a local nonprofit each spring. Each year member owners help grow the fund through donation of their patronage refunds and through using their Affinity Credit Card from Spire Community Credit Union. Additionally, anyone can make a tax-deductible, charitable donation to the Valley Natural Foods CCF. Every October, member-owners get a chance to vote on the non-profit who receives the fund in the spring of the following year. Past recipients include Dakota Woodlands and the Minnesota Valley Humane Society.