By: Zane Fletcher
Concord Food Co-op, along with our partner stores of the National Cooperative Grocers, operates under a set of seven guiding principles – the seventh of which is “Concern for the Community”. As a cooperative, we know we are only as strong as our community, and we make it a priority to strengthen this community through any means available. Since 2019, Concord Food Co-op has conducted a “Round-It-Up at the Register” program, asking shoppers to donate the difference between their register total and the nearest whole dollar to a local organization, rotated monthly.
This type of program isn’t new – you probably see it at many different types of retail stores. What sets ours apart, however, is that we carefully curate our list of recipients based on a certain set of criteria. Our Board of Directors selects from a list of member-submitted recommendations, selecting only local, community-enrichment organizations that align with the Co-op’s mission and values.
This month’s recipient is Families in Transition (FIT), an organization headquartered in Manchester, NH with locations in Concord, Dover, and Wolfeboro. Families in Transition aims to support and empower people experiencing homelessness by providing them the necessities of life – shelter, sustenance, and support.
From their website, “Our mission moves us to empower people experiencing homelessness. We do that by providing dignified housing, by delivering comprehensive and innovative solutions, by developing collaborative relationships with our clients and partners, and by creating opportunities for donors and volunteers committed to making a difference where they live and work.”
Families in Transition utilizes on a “housing first” approach, meaning they prioritize stable, permanent housing. But FIT does not stop there. They operate Outfitters, a thrift store with a focus on providing clothing, toys, books, and household goods to those experiencing homeless. Participants in the housing program receive vouchers, and 100% of proceeds are put back into the organization to continue funding their mission.
FIT also manages Willows Treatment Center in Manchester, which offers specialized treatment programs for community members who struggle with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Willows offers inpatient and outpatient services and oversees recovery housing in Manchester.
Our community can’t be at its strongest without all our neighbors receiving the support they need. During the month of March, please consider rounding up your total at the register, or asking a service team member to add a custom donation amount onto your total. All proceeds from “Round-It-Up” go directly to the recipient organization.
