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Community
Help build your community

The Co-op holds all kinds of charitable events throughout the year. Big or small, local or national, we feel it is important to support organizations that match values of community, health, sustainability, and the environment. 

 

Locally, we support smaller organizations that have a regional impact through our Wooden Nickels program. Shoppers receive a Wooden Nickel for every bag-able purchase when they bring their own bag to take it home in. They can then donate that Wooden Nickel to one of two nonprofits. These nonprofits are chosen quarterly from suggestions made by staff, customers, owners, and community members.

 

Note: Our program had a few changes during COVID. We discontinued the use of the wooden nickel temporarily, however the purpose remained the same. We started taking cash donations for organizations as well, and pass these along with our Wooden Nickel match directly to the nonprofit organizations.

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To apply for our Wooden Nickel program please fill out our Donation Request Form

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Other community donations: If you would like support for an event you have coming up, please let us know. Our resources are limited, but we will provide what we can.  Fill out our online Donation Request Form.
 

Our Donations Policy

Organizations must be a registered 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit; must be nonpartisan (not affiliated with or promoting any political issue, party, or candidate); cannot discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability; should benefit Southern Illinois communities and their citizens; are fundraising for programs that are not intended to advance a particular religious belief; and are fundraising for programs that meet all of the above criteria.

For any purchase requiring a bag, when you bring your own reusable bag, you will receive a wooden nickel per transaction to donate to one of two regional charities that change each quarter. You decide which organization to donate to. (Wooden Nickel donations are capped at $250 per organization. However, all cash donations will be given to the organization in addition to the Wooden Nickel contribution.)

2nd Quarter Recipients: April - June 2025

Wooden Nickels

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Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS)

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The mission of Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS) is to empower the aging community of LGBTQ + and those aging with HIV (50) + in 13 Counties in Southern Illinois. 

 

We are committed to providing members with legal, health, housing, medical, and social engagement resources. We are also an advocacy group and work with national and statewide agencies to advocate for legislation that will improve the lives of our community.

 

www.goldenrainbows.org

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Gaia House Interfaith Center

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Finding Forever Animal Rescue is a no-kill animal rescue in Marion that began in August of 2016. Our mission is to reduce the number of stray animals in our Southern Illinois community through finding homes for animals in need as well as offering low cost spay/neuter clinics for cats. In addition to our spay/neuter clinics, we also offer low cost vaccine & microchip clinics for cats and dogs. Our goals are to help animals in our area to live happier/healthier lives, and to continue helping animals find their fur-ever homes.

 

Our rescue and programs are completely funded by donations and proceeds from our thrift store. 100% of our thrift store’s proceeds go back to the rescue.  

 

www.findingforeveranimalrescue.org

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