The Co-op Food Stores

added 12/24/09

Charitable Outreach

The Co-op Community Partner of the Month program offers an opportunity for Co-op shoppers to donate at the registers to a local non-profit organization. Many of these organizations have small staffs and small budgets to work with, and have been hit hard by the nation’s economic crisis. Ninety percent of all donations go directly to the Partner of the Month. Ten percent goes to the Hanover Cooperative Community Fund, the Co-op’s charitable foundation. The Co-op is currently scheduling organizations to be featured as partners in 2013.

February Community Partner: Upper Valley Haven

In 1981, a new organization opened its doors on little more than a dream, hoping to offer temporary shelter to individuals and families struggling to meet life’s basic needs.

Today, the Upper Valley Haven, located in White River Junction, Vermont, is going strong, with a new building filled to capacity ever since its opening in 2004. The organization is our February Community Partner of the Month and the subject of our Haven Food Drive in the Hanover Co-op food store. Over 1,200 people per month benefit from The Haven’s programs; more than 40 percent of them are children.

The shelter, which can house eight families, has a waiting list year-round. It offers emergency shelter for families, a food shelf, a clothing room, and a wide variety of educational services. The food shelf stocks non-perishable items such as breakfast cereals, hearty soups and canned vegetables, and a limited supply of frozen meat and fresh vegetables. Visitors to the food shelf can receive one week’s worth of groceries once a month. The food shelf also stocks day-old bread in unrestricted supply.

For the needy in the Upper Valley, the long cold winters are particularly challenging—especially for children whose families and caregivers may be unable to afford adequate protective winter clothing. The Haven organizes the many donations of clothing it receives and makes them available to anyone in need. Seasonal clothing, including shoes, is available for women, men, and children.

How You Can Help

• Make a donation to The Haven when you shop at any Co-op location during the month of February.
• Donate clean, functional, and seasonally appropriate clothing to The Haven at 713 Hartford Avenue, White River Junction, Vermont.
• Call The Haven at (802) 295-6500 to learn about volunteer opportunities, or visit www.uppervalleyhaven.org.