Rally for Change

City Market has updated donations at the register starting October 1, 2014! Previously, we selected a different non-profit each month and donated 5 cents for each bag our customers reused (our "Change for Local Non-Profits" program). Every register also included tear off coupons so customers could donate to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf. In addition, each year in February we sold $1 Hearts for the Intervale Center and in September $1 Lunch Trays for Hunger Free Vermont, with all donations going to each respective organization. We've consolidated all of these programs into our new "Rally for Change" program which allows customers to "round up" their order at each register, each time they check-out at the Co-op.

Rally for Change

In the name of education, opportunity, and streamlining how we do things here at the Co-op, we created a Rally for Change program! This program allows customers to “round up” their payment at the register (e.g., a $25.42 checkout could be rounded up to $26 for a $0.58 donation). The Co-op will then donate this “round up” change to a variety of local non-profits each month (so, not just one!) that are doing amazing work in our community. Want to round up to the nearest five or ten dollars? You can do that too! Each month, we’ll share who will be receiving the donations (in our newsletter, with store signage and through staff education).

With more than 4,000 transactions each day through our registers, we all have the opportunity to share what we think of as “small change” to rally for bigger community-wide change. This new Rally program will take the place of the “tear off” coupons we have at the registers and will also take the place of our Change for Local Non-Profits (or bag refunds) program.

Not to worry, a large percentage of each month’s donation will go to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf and we anticipate that this program will actually increase their donations. Through this new program, we will also continue to offer donations to local non-profits that are on the waiting list for our previous "Change for Local Non-Profits" bag refund program (and any new ones that we add to the list!). Here’s how the donation percentages will work out each month:

  • 40% to the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, every month
  • 50% to an organization that aligns with the Co-op’s Global Ends
  • 10% to a local non-profit that may not directly align so closely with our Global Ends, but still works to make our community a better place (much like the Change for Local Non-Profits Program)

This new program gives our cashiers and staff an opportunity to engage with our customers and together we’ll both support and learn more about the organizations that make our community a better place to live. We’re excited to give it a try and are interested to hear what you think!

Rally for Change January 2015January's 50% Rally for Change Recipient: Hunger Free Vermont

Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide organization working to end the injustice of hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. They work with state agencies, service providers, schools, childcare centers, afterschool and summer programs, and many community groups to enhance Vermont’s nutrition safety net. Since 1993, Hunger Free Vermont’s outreach, education, technical assistance, and legislative initiatives have responded to hunger by increasing opportunities for Vermonters to access nutritious food through dignified means and traditional channels—building this access into the fabric of all our communities.

January's 10% Rally for Change Recipient: The Ronald McDonald House Charities

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington, VT provides emotional support, comfort and temporary lodging to families with children receiving medical treatment at VT Children's Hospital at University of Vermont Medical Center.  In addition, Ronald McDonald House Charities provides assistance and support for children through various programs in our region. Ronald McDonald House Charities programs include: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC Grant Program and RMHC Scholarship Program.

Past Recipients

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

Your organization can apply to become a Rally for Change 10% Partner. We are currently filling slots 2 years out (it's a popular program and our community has many amazing non-profits!). Visit our donations page to learn how to apply.