Mingling, Meeting, and Connecting at the BFC Commitment to Community Fair

June 14th was a bright Saturday afternoon at the Brattleboro Food Co-op, which buzzed with energy as we hosted our first-ever Commitment to Community Fair.

To fill you in, the Commitment to Community (C2C) program rewards BFC shareholders who volunteer at least two hours each month at a Windham County not-for-profit initiative with a month-long 5% discount. Shareholders can volunteer more than two hours during the course of a month and “bank” their extra hours for use in future months. We call this “working ahead.”

The C2C program is an effort to fulfill Cooperative Principle 7, “Concern for Community”. This principle guides our role as not only a natural market and deli, but also as a key member of the Brattleboro (and surrounding) community.

We have found the most difficult part of volunteering in the community is knowing where to start and who to talk to. To help you connect, we asked four organizations, “What’s something you wish more people knew about your organization?”

Brattleboro Time Trade

“Everyone has something they can offer – going for a walk, offering computer help, calling someone on the phone, playing board games, helping at home, gardening, tutoring, etc.” – Elizabeth Kroll and Kipton Tewksbury

Elizabeth Kroll believes everyone’s time is of equal value. A shareholder can volunteer as many hours as they are able, starting at one hour. When you volunteer at Brattleboro Time Trade, you also receive credits which you can use (or “spend”) on help from other BTT volunteers.

For more information about Brattleboro Time Trade or to explore volunteer opportunities, please call Elizabeth at (802) 379-9637, email [email protected], or visit BrattleboroTimeTrade.org 

Edible Brattleboro

“Everything is free or at a suggested donation.” – Marilyn Chiarello

Edible Brattleboro welcomes volunteers who are needed to plant and maintain gardens and greenhouses, as well as help run the Share the Harvest Stand (weekends). There is always a call for assistance with fundraising or for growing extra food to share. Edible Brattleboro also accepts donations, including tools, seeds, and seedlings. Shareholders can volunteer as little or as much time as they can spare, starting as little as half an hour.

For more information about Edible Brattleboro or to explore volunteer opportunities, please call Marilyn at (802) 254-9121, email [email protected], or visit EdibleBrattleboro.com

Instagram/Facebook: @ediblebrattleboro 

Brattleboro Kiwanis

“Everything we do is about the children.” – Kathy Ellor and Jim Bellville 

Brattleboro Kiwanis invites shareholders to participate in service and fundraising projects that address community needs, particularly those benefiting children. They should come to meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 6-7 pm at 1111 Putney Rd (US Rt 5), Brattleboro.

For more information about Brattleboro Kiwanis or to explore volunteer opportunities, please call Kathy Ellor at (484) 680-9795, [email protected], or visit BrattleboroKiwanis.org

Center for Solace (formerly Brattleboro Area Hospice)

“We aren’t just a hospice; we also offer bereavement support, and we don’t just help people with a six-month diagnosis. We also help people with two-year diagnoses – all free of charge.” – Colleen Savage

Consider providing early care and hospice support or offering bereavement services. You may enjoy singing at a bedside, sitting vigil with someone who is actively dying, or assisting with advance care planning.

The initial time commitment is 10-30 hours of training over several weeks. Once that is complete, you can volunteer for two to four hours per week. (Training and commitment are dependent on the role.) The next training will be Advance Care Planning on Thursday, July 3 and Thursday, July 10 (10 hours total)

For more information about the Center for Solace or to explore volunteer opportunities, please call Colleen Savage at (802) 257-0775, ext. 109, email [email protected], or visit centerforsolace.org.

About BFC’s Commitment to Community (C2C) Program

For a full list of our C2C partners and their volunteer opportunities, please CLICK HERE.

To report completed volunteer hours, CLICK HERE.

Still have questions?

Do you have questions about scheduling or submitting your volunteer hours?

Would you like to see if your discount is currently active?

For these and any shareholder-related questions, please email [email protected] or call (802) 246-2821.

by Orion Stange, Shareholder Services and Marketing Administrator