Change for Local Non-Profits

City Market previously offered 5 cents back to customers for each bag they reused. In a survey of our members, respondents overwhelmingly agreed that rather than giving this money back to shoppers, we could all have a larger community impact by sharing the change with our local non-profits. Starting July 1, 2011, we began designating a local non-profit to receive the bag refunds each month.

May's Recipient: RU12? Community Center

RU12? Community Center celebrates, educates and advocates with and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Vermonters.

RU12? was founded in 1998 by two students at the University of Vermont who believed that Vermont needed a multi-generational, substance-free, queer space open to people of all ages, races and genders. RU12? was all volunteer run until 2002 when the first Executive Director was hired. In 2003, RU12? moved from the first space on the Burlington waterfront to the current location at the Champlain Mill in downtown Winooski. In 2006, SafeSpace merged with RU12? becoming the Anti-Violence Program at RU12?. That same year Equality Vermont also merged with RU12?.

RU12? is now the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) organization in Vermont, and the only LGBTQ Community Center in the state. While our physical location is in downtown Winooski, we have many statewide programs and services. We work in close coalition with many other organizations including Outright Vermont, the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Check out their website www.ru12.org and find more information on their 15^th Annual LGBTQ Community Dinner, Emerald City Extravaganza, on Saturday, May 4 at the Sheraton.

Past Recipients

• April 2013: 350Vermont
• March 2013: Women Helping Battered Women
• February 2013: HomeShare Vermont
• January 2013: Burlington Chamber Orchestra
• December 2012: Vermont and New Hampshire Valley American Red Cross
• November 2012: Spectrum Youth & Family Services
• October 2012: The Burlington School Food Project
• September 2012: Friends of Burlington Gardens & the Vermont Community Garden Network
• August 2012: Green Mountain Club
• July 2012: Burlington Meals on Wheels
• June 2012: NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program
• May 2012: Mobius
• April 2012: Parallel Justice
• March 2012: Linking Learning to Life
• February 2012: Vermont Youth Orchestra
• January 2012: CVOEO’s WARMTH Program
• December 2011: Peace & Justice Center
• November 2011: Vermont Works for Women
• October 2011: Sustainable Schools Project
• September 2011: Vermont Disaster Relief Fund
• August 2011: SEABA (South End Arts & Business Association)
• July 2011: Local Motion

Do you run a local non-profit that aligns with our Global Ends?

Your organization can apply to participate in the Change for Local Non-Profits program. We are currently filling slots 2 years out. Visit our donations page to learn how to apply.