Wheatsville Co-op Gave $155K To Austin Groups, Nonprofits In 2017

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — Wheatsville Food Co-op, the city's sole retail grocery cooperative, raised more than $155,000 to local community groups and nonprofits in 2017, officials disclosed Tuesday.

All told, $155,185 was raised to benefit local groups. More than $140,000 alone was donated to 10 area nonprofits through the co-op’s Community Action program, official said. Members of the cooperative vote on beneficiaries, which receive one month's worth of monetary and in-kind donations from customers and staff with a minimum donation of $1,000 per organization.

During such drives, customers have the option of donating to the featured community group/nonprofit at checkout. The remaining two months of the year support Wheatsville’s Community Fund which benefits local groups centered on sustainable agriculture and organic food, hunger and social issues, environmental protection and cooperatives, officials explained.

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In September alone, Wheatsville raised more than $21,000 for Central Texas Food Bank, a Community Action beneficiary, and Feeding Texas for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

“After seeing Harvey’s effects on Texas’ coast and Houston, collecting additional donations was a no-brainer,” Chief Executive Grocer, Dan Gillotte said in a prepared statement. “We are truly humbled by the owners, shoppers and staff who supported fellow Texans in need.”

Wheatsville owners (the term used for those customers opting for voluntary membership) selected its Community Action partners for this year, a mix of newcomers and former beneficiaries: Sustainable Food Center, SAFE, People’s Community Clinic, Urban Roots, Austin Pets Alive!, Caritas Austin, Hospice Austin, Workers Defense Project, Meals on Wheels Central Texas and the Central Texas Food Bank.

While the cooperatives are open to the public, some customers opt to join as "owners," paying a non-refundable joining fee of $15 and a $55 investment which can be paid in full or on a payment plan. In return, such members can avail themselves of extra savings, including during "Owner Appreciation Days" in April and October offering 20 percent off their purchases. Owners also are eligible to vote on the cooperative's board of directors members and Community Action recipients.

Wheatsville are scheduled to honor its 2017 Community Action partners and welcome their 2018 beneficiaries during a ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the South Lamar location, 4001 S. Lamar Blvd. and will include a light lunch following the ceremony.

A Look at 2017’s Impact

Wheatsville donated $143,751.59 to their Community Action partners, raised $7,188.55 for Feeding Texas’ hurricane relief efforts, and donated another $4,245 to local community groups for a grand total of $155,185.14 given back to the community in 2017. Below is a breakdown of Wheatsville’s donations:

• January – American Honey Bee Protection Agency: $7,310.70 donation.
• February – People's Community Clinic: $11,581.37 donation.
• March – SAFE: $15,022.09 donation.
• April – Urban Roots: $11,842.29 donation.
• May – Austin Pets Alive!: $13,338.76 donation.
• June – Worker's Defense Project: $13,699.53 donation.
• July – Wheatsville Co-op Community Fund: $10,555.37.
• August – Hospice Austin: $12,004.53 donation plus pantry foods.
• September – Central Texas Food Bank: $14,597.26 donation, plus an additional $7,188.55 for Feeding Texas for a total of $21,785.81.
• October – Wheatsville Co-op Community Fund: $9,659.13.
• November – Caritas of Austin: $11,427.58.
• December – Meals on Wheels Central Texas: $12,712.98.
• Additional Community Donations: $4,245.

There are two Wheatsville locations in Austin, a South Austin location at 4001 S. Lamar Blvd. and the North Austin store at 3101 Guadalupe St.

>>> Photo of Guadalupe Street Wheatsville storefront by Tony Cantú.