CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — After spending the past weeks gathering customer donations, Grange Co-op says it will present $50,000 to the Phoenix-Talent Family Fire Relief Fund on Friday.
"The overwhelming support of customers from all seven Grange Co-op locations reflects a generosity and goodwill like non other," the co-op said in a statement. "In the community's greatest time of need, Grange Co-op is proud to partner with those who respond to tragedy with empathy and generosity."
Grange Co-op started raising point-of-sale funds for fire relief on September 25 after the Almeda and South Obenchain fires. As part of the co-op's "GrangeGives" campaign, it pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations.
As of November 11, the company said, customers contributed almost $20,000 for residents who lost everything in the fires. Grange Co-op decided to contribute what was left over — gathering a total donation of $50,000.
"Our customers rallied together to help our community in a time of need. We wanted to ensure that we could make a real impact, together," said CEO Neil Itzen. "Contributing these funds to our community that has been devastated by such a tragic wildfire is extremely important to the co-op and helps fulfill our company purpose."
Presentation of the donated funds will happen on Friday at the Phoenix-Talent School District offices, 401 W 4th Street in Phoenix.