Community Outreach & Donations
Give Where You Live!
Our Give Where You Live donations program allows our owners and shoppers to "round up" to the nearest dollar for the nonprofit of the month each time they check out. These organizations are elected by VFC Owners through a yearly ballot. After the ballot concludes, the top-elected nonprofits get announced in VFC's Heart Beet Newsletter that comes out in January.
VFC Owners may nominate a local community organization to be listed on the annual ballot. Nominated organizations must have missions consistent with VFC’s mission and Co-op Principles. Political organizations are not included. Religious organizations that offer services, such as a food pantry, may be included as long as those services are open to all community members and not used for proselytizing. Organizations with a low vote count are removed from the ballot until they are re-nominated by a VFC Owner.
2022 Give Where You Live Recipient Schedule
January
Living Faith Food Pantry Administers a food distribution program to address the food insecurity needs of the community. Providing produce, organic beans and grains, and education about nutrition and cooking.
February
Valley Stewardship Network Works to protect the lands and waters of the Kickapoo River Valley through stewardship, outreach and citizen action that result in healthy food and water for generations to come.
March
Friends of Vernon County Parks & Forest The Friends of Vernon County Parks partner with park staff and volunteers to celebrate, protect and preserve the Vernon Cty Parks of the Driftless Area.
April
Vernon Trails Vernon Trails is a non-profit organization committed to developing and maintaining sustainable roadways and trails, while continuing to create access for human powered users.
May
WDRT – Driftless Community Radio WDRT 91.9FM is a listener-sponsored, volunteer-driven community radio station serving the Driftless Region, offering a broad mix of cultural programming, and providing opportunities for members of the public to produce their own programming.
June
Driftless Humane Society Dedicated to operating an animal shelter for the purpose of finding a quality forever home, stray animal care and adoption services. DHS is funded entirely through donations and adoptions.
July
Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School An independent, joyful, holistic education for the head, heart, and hands. Providing a full Waldorf education, preschool thru 8th grade.
August
Youth Initiative High School Holistic Waldorf education for grades 9-12. Emphasizes the development of student responsibility, initiative, and citizenship in all aspects of school life.
September
McIntosh Memorial Library Viroqua Member of the Winding Rivers Library System. Offers programming for patrons of all ages with a special emphasis on children’s programming for youth ages 2-18.
October
Cooperative Community Fund This Viroqua Food Co-op endowment fund enables the VFC to give out grants to nonprofits and/or cooperatives in our community.
November
Community Hunger Solutions Dedicated to increasing access to healthy food by providing food pantries with surplus fresh produce from local farms.
December
Kickapoo Valley Reserve The KVR Educational Programs offer hands-on environmental learning opportunities that promote positive environmental values to people of all ages.
2021 Give Where You Live Recipients
3/20 Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School
4/20 0Historic Temple Theatre (ARTT)
5/20 Vernon Trails
6/20 Valley Stewardship Network
7/20 WDRT – Driftless Community Radio
8/20 Youth Initiative High School
9/20 McIntosh Memorial Library
10/20 Cooperative Community Fund
11/20 Bethel Butikk Food Pantry
12/20 Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2020 Give Where You Live Recipients
3/20 Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School
5/20 Vernon Trails
6/20 Community Hunger Solutions
7/20 WDRT – Driftless Community Radio
8/20 Youth Initiative High School
9/20 Viroqua Farm to School
10/20 Cooperative Community Fund
11/20 Bethel Butikk Food Pantry
12/20 Kickapoo Valley Reserve