Every year the Co-op Member Affairs Committee (MAC) and Board of Directors selects community organizations to be the monthly Community Shopping Days (CSD) recipient.
Community Shopping Days recipients receive 2% of the Co-op’s total sales on the third Saturday of their designated month and all register donations made during the month.
There are two ways to support these organizations.
- 2% Saturdays: Shop the third Saturday of the month. The Co-op donates 2% of total sales from this day.
- Donate the Difference: Round up your purchase at the register on any day and 100% of your donation is given directly to that month's Community Shopping Day recipient.
2022 Community Shopping Days Recipients
2% Saturdays Donation Totals—It All Adds Up!
In 2021, the Co-op donated $28,217.69.
In 2020, the Co-op donated $26,641.50.
We are pleased to welcome these organizations to the 2022 Community Shopping Days program. After a thorough and thoughtful application review process by the Co-op’s Member Affairs Committee, our Board of Directors approved these organizations as the 2022 Community Shopping Days recipients.
January — Co-op's Farm Fund
February — Growing Veterans
March — Nooksack Tribal Food Bank
April — Co-op's Farm Fund
May — Cooperativa Tierra y Libertad
June — Co-op's Farm Fund
July — Lynden Farmers Market
August — Co-op's Farm Fund
September — Foothills Food Bank
October — HomesNOW! Not Later
November — Co-op's Farm Fund
December — YWCA
2021 Community Shopping Days Recipients
January — Co-op's Farm Fund
February — City Sprouts Farm
March — Viva Farms
April — Co-op's Farm Fund
May — Community to Community
June — Local Food Works
July — Sterling Meadows Farm Worker Housing
August — Co-op's Farm Fund
September — Sustainable Bellingham
October — Bellingham Food Bank
November — Co-op's Farm Fund
December — Whatcom Food Network
2023 Application Form
The Co-op is now accepting applications from community groups for the 2023 Community Shopping Days (CSD) program. Organizations awarded a 2021 or 2022 CSD will not be considered for two years.
Shopping Day
The designated shopping days fall on the third Saturday of each month. Each organization receives two percent of the combined sales from all Co-op locations for its scheduled Saturday. Throughout the awarded month, Co-op shoppers can also donate to the organization at any Co-op register. Organizations are encouraged to promote their shopping day and solicit register donations from their supporters.
Qualifying Organizations
Donations are awarded to nonprofit and cooperative organizations (or organizations functioning as a nonprofit but not necessarily a 501(c)3) working in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Eligible groups serve our community in one or more of the following seven areas:
- food and sustainable agriculture
- social justice, peace, and human rights
- ecological issues
- education
- health and well-being
- cooperative development
- community development
Priority is given to applications with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Specific projects in which funds would have a significant impact are also given a higher priority in the selection process.
Application Process
The application deadline is Monday, August 15, 2022. In September, the Co-op Member Affairs Committee (MAC) will recommend the groups to be awarded, and the Board will approve the final selection in October. Each year we receive more applications than we can fund. If you are not selected this year, we encourage you to reapply the following year.
Applications must be submitted via web form on our website: www.communityfood.coop.
Text will automatically be cut off at noted character limits in the online application. Applications cannot be edited after submission. No supplemental information is accepted.
If you need assistance or have questions, email Karl Meyer at [email protected]
