The Co-op Gives Back
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op
Community Grants
It’s time to apply for Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op’s Community Grants. Ukiah Natural Foods has reserved $15,000 from the 2011 store profits to award to local non-profit organizations. We anticipate making several awards. Ukiah Natural Foods is guided by The International Cooperative Principles, which include a commitment to work for the sustainable development of local communities. The grant program is one way for the Co-op to do this.
There is a simple application form available here or at the Customer Service Counter. Completed and signed application forms must be returned to Ukiah Natural Foods, 721 S. State Street, Ukiah, California 95482 to the attention of Nehemiah Bear/Community Grants Chair, by Feb. 21, 2012.
The Donation and Grants Committee will evaluate the submitted applications and make recommendations for awards to the Board of Directors. Awards will be made in the beginning of March, 2012. For more information click here.
Mendocino Land Trust
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op donated $2,580 to the nonprofit Mendocino Land Trust. Lori Rosenberg Co-op General Manager said, “The donation is our way to say ‘thank you’ on the part of our Co-op family for the important work the Trust does in the county to conserve important natural resources.”
The funds were collected throughout 2011 by the small fee the Co-op charges for paper carryout bags. In 2010 the Co-op instituted the bag charge as a way to reduce paper bag use by encouraging owners and shoppers to bring their reusable bags when they shop. “This has been really successful,” said Rosenberg. “We’ve dropped our paper bag use by 79%.” The fees that are collected are then donated to a worthy nonprofit environmental cause.
Plowshares
Plowshares is a non-profit organization that has been providing free hot meals and other services to the hungry and homeless since 1983 in Ukiah.
Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op makes daily donations to Plowshares as part of our outreach to the community.
Give Back to Schools Week
In 2011 ‘Give Back to Schools Week’ Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op was able to give back $12,460 to our local schools!
Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2012 ‘Give Back to Schools Week!’
| School | Donation Cumulative (5%) |
| Waldorf School | $2,247 |
| River Oak Charter | $957 |
| Ukiah High School | $908 |
| Tree of Life Montessori | $884 |
| Anderson Valley Elementary | $872 |
| Instilling Goodness | $640 |
| Potter Valley Unified | $546 |
| Pomolita Middle School | $497 |
| La Vida Charter School | $437 |
| Nokomis Elementary | $423 |
| Ukiah Co-op Nursery | $407 |
| Calpella Elementary | $383 |
| St. Mary's School | $334 |
| Head Start, NCOP | $319 |
| Redwood Academy | $301 |
| Ukiah Junior Academy | $289 |
| Small Wonders Preschool | $278 |
| Mendo. County Comm. School | $274 |
| Eagle Peak School | $272 |
| Deep Valley Christian | $260 |
| Head Start, Pinoleville | $253 |
| New Morning Montessori | $242 |
| Brookside Elementary | $229 |
| Discovery World | $121 |
| Preschool Village | $88 |
| TOTAL | $12,460 |
2010 Year-End Donations
Even in tight years and economic decline, Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op is working harder than ever to make sure we are doing what can in our communities to help those in need. By 2010 year end the Co-op’s major contributions exceeded $43,000.
The Co-op staff and owners support the good work of many charitable organizations in the communities we serve. Each month, the Co-op donates food and nonfood products to the needy in our area. Our Co-op baristas donated their tips of $4,460.05 to nonprofit community organizations.
We are proud that the owners and staff of the Co-op are able to give so much to our community!
| John Milder Scholarships | $3,000 |
| Mendocino Children’s Fund | $4,050 |
| Buddy Eller Center | $3,800 |
| Ukiah Community Food Bank | $3,800 |
| Willits Food Bank | $3,800 |
| Alex Rorabaugh Rec Center | $1,500 |
| City of Ukiah Anton Stadium | $1,500 |
| City of Ukiah Skate Park | $1,500 |
| City of Ukiah Todd Grove Pool | $1,500 |
| Community Foundation- Arts in the Schools | $1,500 |
| SPACE | $1,500 |
| Co-op Development Fund for Haiti | $999 |
| National Wildlife Fund (bag charges) | $864 |
| Howard Bowers Fund | $400 |
