Community Partners

added 10/31/11

Learn more about Twin Pines Housing Trust.

The Co-op Community Partner Program

As the Co-op reflects on its 75 years of service to the Upper Valley and beyond, one of the highlights of many years of community involvement has been the ever-popular Community Partner of the Month program.

Started in 2002 by Education and Member Services Director Rosemary Fifield, the program has given thousands of dollars to local non-profits over the years, brought the organizations greater exposure through in-store displays and advertising, web, and social media coverage, and has proven so successful that it has created a waiting list of worthy organizations reaching out several years.

Our Community Partner program offers an opportunity for Co-op shoppers to donate at the registers to a local non-profit organization each month. Ninety percent of all donations go directly to the Partner of the Month. Ten percent goes to the Hanover Cooperative Community Fund (HCCF), the Co-op’s charitable foundation.

November Community Partner:

Twin Pines Housing Trust
The Upper Valley housing market is still one of the tightest in the nation—and low-to-moderate-income families have it tougher than most. Add in New England winter heating bills, the devastation of Tropical Storm Irene, a tough economic climate, and ever-increasing cost of living rates, and struggling families can struggle even more when they live in the Upper Valley.

Twin Pines Housing Trust works to increase the number of safe, attractive, and efficient homes and apartments available to income-qualified residents. According to Twin Pines, housing is considered affordable when the cost of rent or mortgage, insurance, and taxes is less than 30 percent of a family’s gross income. That means a renter or homeowner must earn a salary of nearly three times the minimum wage in order to live in the Upper Valley. Many simply can’t.

With central offices located in White River Junction, Vermont, Twin Pines helps meet area needs by building and renovating affordable multi-family apartments, single-family homes, and mobile home parks.

How You Can Help:

  • Make a contribution when you shop at the Co-op during November.

  • Volunteer your skills on small maintenance, gardening, or light office projects by calling the Twin Pines office at (802) 291-7000 or visiting the website at http://www.tphtrust.org/.
  • Donate items that improve the living environment of Twin Pines’ residents, such as art supplies, children’s books, new plastic playground equipment, or outdoor storage sheds. Contact the office number above.

December Community Partner:

Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic In downtown White River Junction, Vermont, there is a small nondescript building that serves a very noble purpose.

Founded in 1992, The Good Neighbor Health Clinic is a free healthcare facility whose mission is to offer accessible primary medical and dental care to the uninsured or underinsured in the Upper Valley who are in need, but without the means to pay. In August 1996, the Red Logan Dental Clinic opened in response to the increasing need for dental care.

The main medical and dental clinics are located in White River Junction, Vermont, with a satellite medical clinic in Canaan, New Hampshire. Together, the clinics provide a wide range of much-needed primary care services, management of chronic disease, and preventative health care. The clinics are staffed by volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses, allied health personnel, medical students, and administrative staff.

In addition to medical and dental services, the clinics help match clients to other resources they may need. Since their inception 18 years ago, the clinics have assisted clients with housing issues, job placement, and clothing and transportation needs. The clinics also serve as a referral agency to neighboring food pantries.

How You Can Help:

  • Make a contribution when you shop at the Co-op during December.

  • Call to learn about volunteer opportunities. Good Neighbor Health Clinic:(802) 295-1868; Red Logan Dental Health Clinic:(802) 295-7573.
  • Visit the website of the Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured at www.vccu.net.