Once a year the Community Relations Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op accepts and reviews the applications of non-sectarian,non-partisan,charitable community groups for participation in 4% Friday,a Community Shopping Day. Groups chosen are honored with 4% of the day’s gross receipts at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op.
APPLICATION FOR 4% FRIDAY 2014 –Click here
Congratulations to our 2013 Recipient Groups!
Community Relations Committee,
Skagit Valley Food Co-op
2013 RECIPIENTS
25 January – Salmonberry Community Land Trust – Seed Distribution Project
Finney Farm’s Seed Distribution Project offers a variety of open pollinated,heirloom,and rare vegetable and herb seeds to individuals and organizations at no charge as a component of our Food Not Lawns project. 4% Friday funding will allow us to expand our project and offer more free seeds and educational opportunities in Skagit County and beyond! Interested parties should feel free to contact us with seed donation requests.
22 February – CA Food Distribution Center – tools and supplies for Harvest for Hope
The Food Distribution Center serves as the main hub for collecting,transporting and storing food for 14 Skagit County food banks and 6 hot meal programs. 4% Friday funds will help to purchase tools and supplies for our Harvest for Hope garden program,and educate our community on issues of hunger and food access in Skagit County.
22 March – Viva Farms Bilingual Farm Incubator – equipment,greenhouse &storage
Viva Farms operates a 33 acre farm incubator at the Port of Skagit where new farmers can launch their businesses. The program is operated in partnership with WSU Skagit County Extension. 4% Friday funds will be used to acquire equipment for Viva’s new regional food hub,a center to process,pack and distribute agricultural products grown at the Viva Farms incubator and by other small producers throughout the region. 100% of Viva Farms’sales revenue is reinvested in launching new farms.
26 April – Greenwood Tree Cooperative School –
Greenwood Tree provides a Waldorf-inspired dynamic and holistic learning environment for children ages 18 months through 14 years. 4 % Friday funds will be applied to art,baking,and music programs,as well as supporting the monthly parent education series and seasonal festivals.
24 May – SVC Skagit/Islands Head Start – playgrounds
Head Start is a comprehensive program for low-income families supporting school readiness and family growth in a prenatal to five platform. 4% Friday funds will go toward development of natural playgrounds in Skagit County,beginning with the Head Start center at Washington Elementary.
28 June – Anacortes Farmers Market – EBT Double Up Food Bucks Program
4% Friday funds will go toward the Anacortes Farmers Market’s new “Double Up Food Bucks” program,which provides an additional incentive for low income families and seniors using the EBT Card,resulting in a doubled amount of fresh foods for lower income seniors and families,and a sustainable avenue of funding for local farmers who partner with the Anacortes Farmers Market.
26 July – Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group – Junior Stream Stewards supplies
The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group works on habitat restoration and free watershed stewardship education,including Junior Stream Stewards,a year long hands-on learning program for over 600 7 &8th graders at 5 schools in Skagit County.
23 August – CCS Family Immigration Services –DREAMers workshops
CCS Family Immigration Services provides immigration and citizenship services by Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representatives to low income immigrants in our community. In fall 2012 CCS Family Immigration began to offer services for DREAMers/Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) applicants. The agency is working with community partners to provide informational sessions and legal workshops to help these immigrant youth apply for deferred action,by which they can obtain a two-year work permit.Funds from 4% Friday will help CCS Family Immigration increase capacity to continue helping these young people and others by providing immigration legal assistance.
27 September – CA Volunteer Literacy Program – Adult Basic Education kids program
Skagit Literacy supports volunteers in teaching adult students English language skills and Earning GEDs. Without childcare,many students would be unable to attend class.
4% Friday funds will help pay for children’s assistants,nutritious snacks and supplies needed to provide meaningful educational activities for kids while their parents are in classes.
25 October – Northwest Youth Services – vocational prep programming and activities
Northwest Youth Services works with at-risk,runaway,and homeless youth to foster self-reliance. 4 % Friday funding will go toward vocational programming,including a variety of skill-building workshops that increase youths’ self-esteem,community engagement,and ability to secure sustainable employment.
22 November –Skagit Adult Day Care
20 Dec – The volunteer-run Skagit County Neighbors in Need Food Bank
The Food Bank feeds approximately 300-350 families each week;between 1,200-1,400 people each week from Mount Vernon,Burlington and surrounding areas. The Food Bank has served well over one million people since its doors opened in 1972 and has expanded outreach to include NIN at Night to serve the working poor,and a backpack program for school children.
