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 the Winter Pea Soup Newsletter that comes out before/by December each year.
VFC Owners may nominate a local community organization with a 501c3 status 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.
2021 Give Where You Live Recipient Schedule
January
Living Faith Food Pantry Offers a choice program where each participant makes food selections within categories that best meets their personal needs and tastes. The pantry provides recipes and samples to help participants become familiar with the wide variety of produce that is seasonally available. They also offer many organically grown foods which substantially increases the variety of food distributed!
February
Driftless Humane Society Stray animal care and adoption services. DHS is funded by memberships, donations, bequests and user fees.
March
Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School An independent, joyful, holistic education for the head, heart, and hands. Providing a full Waldorf education, preschool thru grade 8, with an organic school garden and organic hot lunch program.
April
Historic Temple Theatre (ARTT) The Associates of the Restored Temple Theatre strive to preserve and enhance the space as a cultural and civic center, presenting activities and events for the enrichment and enjoyment of our region.
May
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.
June
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.
July
WDRT – Driftless Community Radio WDRT 91.9FM is a listener-supported and programmed, non-commercial, volunteer-run, educational radio station in the Driftless Region of southwest Wisconsin.
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
Bethel Butikk Food Pantry This community food pantry is sponsored by Bethel Home & Services, plus 18 local churches which provide food and monetary assistance to eligible families.
December
Kickapoo Valley Reserve The KVR Educational Programs offer hands-on environmental learning opportunities that promote positive environmental values to people of all ages.
2020 Give Where You Live Recipient Schedule
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
2019 Give Where You Live Recipient Schedule
2/19 Couleecap
3/19 Vernon Trails
4/19 Community Hunger Solutions
7/19 WDRT – Driftless Community Radio
8/19 Youth Initiative High School
9/19 Viroqua Farm to School
10/19 Cooperative Community Fund
11/19 Bethel Butikk Food Pantry
12/19 Kickapoo Valley Reserve