MEDFORD, Ore. -- A southern Oregon business is trying to create positive change. Medford Food Co-op is raising money for local non-profit organizations.
Each month, one organization will get 100 percent of the money that's raised.
Last month, the Co-op donated more than $2,300 to the Family Nurturing Center's Farm and Food Program. In January, it's raising money for the Children's Advocacy Center.
“We really embrace the idea of change and how powerful that can be in the community and we really embrace the idea of community and how much change a community can make," said Marketing and Outreach Manager Halle Riddlebarger. "This program really combines those two things into one, and has really exceeded our expectations and the impact it can make.”
The 'Positive Change Program' raised money by getting people to round up. If customers want, the Co-op will round up your purchase to the nearest dollar.
Customers can donate more money if they wish. Right now, the Co-op is on track to raise more than $2,000 this month.
“I’ve heard from several non-profits that these are larger donations than they typically get from individual donors, and because the funds aren’t tied to a specific grant or anything, a lot of the non-profits have mentioned how nice it is to have that’s flexible for their spending," said Riddlebarger.
In 2019, the Medford Food Co-op raised more than $23,000 to 12 different non-profits.