By Kirsten Moore, Cooperative Services Director
We’re midway through the winter holiday season, and as we reflect upon what we have to be grateful for, it’s also a time to think about how we contribute to our communities. There are lots of ways to get involved and give back, and some of those opportunities are right here at the Co-op. Read on to find out how you can volunteer your services or donate to those in need as we wind down 2020.
Contribute to Our Holiday Fund Drive to Support Double Dollars and Local Food Pantries
Keeping with tradition, we’re again matching Double Dollars contributions up to $10,000 to support our five neighborhood food pantries. Through December 31 contributions are matched 1:1. You can support Double Dollars either by a $1, $5, $10, or $25 scan card donation at the registers, or by reusing bags so we can save money we would spend on paper bags to support Double Dollars instead. You can also make a donation when you use shop.willystreet.coop by searching “Double Dollars” to find donation options to select from. The match supports Goodman Community Center Fitz Food Pantry, Lussier Community Education Center, Middleton Outreach Ministry, The River Food Pantry and Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center with Co-op gift cards for fresh items in the winter season. Your Double Dollars support is a win-win for those using Double Dollars and those reliant on our food pantries.
Double Dollars is a nutrition incentive program to help those using FoodShare/QUEST purchase fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables and legumes; and seeds and seedlings for growing edible plants. Double Dollars are available from October to May at the Co-op, and from June to November at participating farmers’ markets. The Double Dollars Fund has been providing vital program support since April 2017.
The Double Dollars match benefiting our food pantry partners is made possible through abandoned and donated Owner equity. When Owners leave the Co-op, their equity invested belongs to them and they are given the option to have their equity refunded or to donate it to use for charitable purposes such as this match and the Community Reinvestment Fund grants.
You support local food pantries whenever you support Double Dollars. When people can purchase groceries instead of relying on pantries, pantries can then focus on those who need their resources most. Please consider contributing to the Double Dollars Fund whenever you shop the Co-op by scanning donation cards or bringing in bags to reuse. It makes a difference, and right now the difference is double!
For more information about Double Dollars, please visit www.willystreet.coop/double-dollars.
Madison Reading Project Book Drive Now Through December 15 at Willy East and Willy West
Willy East and Willy West are currently collecting new or like-new books for ages 0-18 in designated drop boxes in the foyers for the Madison Reading Project’s first annual Community Book Drive through December 15. Having access to high-quality, relevant books that reflect children’s unique identities can make the difference for a child learning to read this school year. Madison Reading Project, in partnership with the Empty Stocking Club and other community organizations, will use your donations to provide over 10,000 books to kids that need them most this holiday season. They will accept fiction and nonfiction as well as hardcover or paperback books. “Like-new” means books should be free from rips, tears, damage, stickers or labels, handwritten messages, dust, mold, and discoloration. When deciding what books to donate, please consider appropriate and relevant content, which means: no harmful stereotypes in text or illustrations, no books with religious or religious holiday themes, and newer than 10 years. They are not accepting audio, video, coloring or sticker books, computer equipment or software, encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauruses, magazines, workbooks or study guides, test preparation guides, textbooks, toys, games, puzzles, artwork, nor puzzle or word game books. More information, including how to make a financial contribution to the book drive, can be found at www.madisonreadingproject.com/communitybookdrive.
Big Bundle Up Campaign December 19—January 5 at Willy West
Middleton Tourism invites the public to take part in the 10th statewide Big Bundle Up—a winter clothing drive to benefit the community. You may drop off new or gently used winter gear from December 19 through January 5 at the designated drop-box in the foyer at Willy West. Suggested items include hats, mittens, coats, sweaters, and other warm clothing. Items will be delivered to Lake Mills Cleaners & Dyers to clean for free prior to providing the donations to Middleton Outreach Ministry for distribution.
Closing Out 2020 We Can Still Make a Difference
As the strange and trying year of 2020 comes to a close, one bit of positivity that is certainly on display here at our Co-op is the continued commitment Owners show to the safety and care of our community and neighbors. Warm wishes to you this holiday season, your contributions to your Co-op are a gift and truly appreciated.