Berkshire Co-op Market Announces Donation Recipients
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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The owners of the Berkshire Co-op Market have voted and the results will help 12 local organizations with their work towards a stronger, healthier and more sustainable community.
The co-op, located on Bridge Street in Great Barrington, donates 1 percent of its Wednesday sales to a different local community oriented organization each month. The recipients are selected as part of the co-op’s annual Board of Directors election, which concluded on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The program was started last year and has been able to generate more than $10,000 so far in 2014. In fact the co-op just announced that the October recipient, The People’s Pantry, will receive $1,120.41. The pantry provides emergency groceries for community members in need. The November recipient is Community Health Programs, which aims to improve the health of Berkshire County residents.
This year, co-op owners were asked to select twelve new organizations for the program. 2014 winners were not eligible this year and will be returned to the ballot next year:
January: The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
February: Railroad Street Youth Project
March: The Elizabeth Freeman Center
April: Monument Mountain Farm to School Store
May: Great Barrington Land Conservancy
June: Community Lunches at the Guthrie Center
July: Berkshires Bounty
August: Project Sprout
September: Berkshire Children & Families
October: WBCR Community Radio
November: Berkshire South Community Suppers
December: Community Access to the Arts
“It’s a great new program” said Matt Novik, the co-op’s communications manager. “One Percent Wednesdays represent about half of our total giving for the year and it offers an opportunity for our owners, customers and the recipient organizations to participate. Owners get to vote the organizations in, shoppers get to influence the results with their purchases and organizations get to inform their constituents about the opportunity to raise funds.”
"Right now we are able to donate over $10,000 a year. Imagine what that number will be with more gross earnings. I personally can’t wait.”
Elections results also saw three current board directors, Daniel Seitz, Molly de St. Andre and Matthew Syrett, return to their seats and one newcomer, Daniel Esko, assume a spot on the board. Voters also confirmed a proposed bylaw change that allows for the possibility of alternative voting methods like online ballots.
