Commitment to Community Program

Co-ops are all about community! As a co-op with over 9,000 members, we have the opportunity to make a difference in our community in all sorts of ways…and we want to do more to assist local organizations that are working to improve the lives of our neighbors.

Cooperative Principle 7, “Concern for Community”

This principle guides our role as not only a natural market and deli, but as a key member of Brattleboro and surrounding community.

We strive for excellence and to be a positive influence. Whether we are collaborating with, or, we take a deep sense of pride in all that we can do for the community.

To apply to become one of our valuable Commitment to Community partners, complete our online application.

Please note: The Co-op does not partner with political or religious groups or organizations. And the organizations we create Commitment to Community partnerships align with the Co-op’s Ends Policies and Cooperative Principles.

What is the Commitment to
Community Program?

The Commitment to Community program rewards Shareholders who volunteer at least 2 hours each month at a Windham County nonprofit with a month-long 5% discount. Questions about shareholder benefits or discounts should be sent to our Shareholder Services and Marketing Administrator.

What is a Commitment to Community Partner Organization?

Our partner organizations are Windham County organizations whose missions align with the Co-op. They have applied and have been accepted as partners in volunteer endeavors. You can find a current list of these partners below.

What if the organization I volunteer with isn’t on the Commitment to Community Partner list?

The application to become a Community Partner Organization is on our website here. Feel free to encourage any non-profit organization in Windham County to apply.

I represent a Windham County non-profit in need of volunteer support. How can we become a Commitment to Community Partner?

It’s simple! Just fill out the application. You’ll need to establish a point of contact at your organization to be in contact with Shareholder Services every month.

How do I sign up for volunteer hours?

Follow these simple instructions:

  1. Select an organization and reach out to the contact person at one of the organizations listed to schedule volunteer work.
  2. Show up for your volunteer shift, and follow any training or volunteer information they may provide.
  3. Once completed, click here to submit the hours you worked.

Want to become one of our valuable Commitment to Community partners?

Apply Today!

Current List of Commitment to Community Partner Organizations

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

  • Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center fosters experiences that inspire connection to the natural world and its many inhabitants. It is located on a picturesque old farm in Brattleboro, Vermont. Today the former farm buildings shelter campers and school groups. The pastures and forests offer natural beauty to those who walk our trails, and outdoor learning opportunities are available for those who attend BEEC programs.
Brattleboro Area Hospice

Brattleboro Area Hospice

Brattleboro Area Hospice was founded in 1979 and provides a broad range of volunteer-based services for living and dying well, focusing on end-of-life, bereavement, and advance care planning, all free of charge.

Connecticut River Joint Commissions

Connecticut River Joint Commissions

The essence of CRJC is first to bring a local voice to decisions made along the Connecticut River and second to bring diverse stakeholders of the River together to advance effective watershed management. One of our main goals is around water quality, which means impact and coordination with local farms.

  • Volunteer opportunities include working on the Wantastiquet local river subcommittee, attending quarterly meetings regarding the health of the environment, or, in the summer, helping collect samples for water quality monitoring.
  • Contact Olivia Uyizeye at 603-349-0021, or by email at info@crjc.org
The Commons Newspaper / VIM

The Commons Newspaper / VIM

The Commons Newspaper / VIM is a weekly newspaper run by Vermont Independent Media with an eye toward journalism being critical for the functioning of democracy.

Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to, distributing papers on the downtown Brattleboro walking route, helping the crew put labels on papers for bulk mailing, bringing bins to the post office with a dolly, and possibly driving for paper distribution (all on Wednesdays).

  • Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to Distributing papers on the walking route through downtown Brattleboro, helping the crew put labels on papers for bulk mailing, bringing bins to the post office with a dolly, and possibly driving for paper distribution (all on Wednesdays).
  • Contact Barry Aleshnick, barry@commonsnews.org, (802)258-4931.
Downtown Brattleboro Alliance

Downtown Brattleboro Alliance

Downtown Brattleboro Alliance exists to nurture and support the vitality of downtown Brattleboro through art, commerce, recreation, and education.

  • Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to, Everyone Eats food distribution in communities, coordinating organizations, Gallery Walk set-up & breakdown, delivery of programs all over the community, and community organizing — connection of downtown organizations, businesses & residents
  • Contact 802-257-4886 to learn more about volunteer opportunities
Edible Brattleboro

Edible Brattleboro

Edible Brattleboro‘s mission is to improve accessibility to healthy food by transforming spaces in and around town into edible landscapes, interplanting greens, herbs, and fruits among the ornamentals.

  • Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to weeding, watering gardens, planting, helping move soil and compost to sites, and operating the Share the Harvest stand.
Foodworks

Foodworks

Foodworks is a program of Groundworks Collaborative that operates our region’s most heavily utilized food shelf program. Located at 141 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT, Foodworks is a free grocery store where shoppers can come by for supplemental groceries every two weeks. They strive to be as low-barrier as possible and will serve everyone who comes by for groceries without requiring proof of need.

  • Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to delivering food, food shelf set-up, greeting shoppers, packing boxes, and data entry.
Groundworks Collaborative

Groundworks Collaborative

Groundworks Collaborative was established in 2015 following the merger of two well-established organizations: the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center and Morningside Shelter (having previously existed for 27 and 36 years, respectively). Groundworks Collaborative provides ongoing support to families and individuals facing a full continuum of housing and food insecurities in the greater Brattleboro area.

Contact Libby Bennet at LBennett@GroundworksVT.org or contact Julianne at JMills@GroundworksVT.org.

Volunteer opportunities can be found on their Volunteer Page.

Guilford Cares, Inc.

Guilford Cares, Inc.

Guilford Cares, Inc. is a non-profit organization of the citizens of Guilford, VT. They provide free assistance to vulnerable community members to improve the quality and independence of their lives.

Volunteer opportunities include Packing groceries for the food pantry, delivering groceries, transporting to grocery stores, such as BAFC, visiting homebound folks for companionship, doing errands, and light housework.

Contact Leah Gessner at GuilfordCaresVT@gmail.com or call 802-579-1350.

Halifax Community Club

Halifax Community Club

The Halifax Community Club provides meals to seniors once a month and to bereaved members of the community by request since June of 2023.

They also offer a community cafe two days a week, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 – 1 which is staffed by volunteers.

  • Volunteer activities include donating baked goods, presenting programs, helping open the cafe, cleaning and closing the cafe, soup day, pie fest, and cooking for the holidays.
  • Contact Laurel Copeland at LaurelACopeland@gmail.com or call (802) 368-2439.

Halifax Community Club Website

Harris Hill Ski Jump

Harris Hill Ski Jump

Harris Hill Ski Jump is a yearly Brattleboro winter ski jumping tradition with local and national skiers since 1922. Volunteer opportunities include Hill markers, car parkers, ticket takers, ID checkers for the beer tent, and banner set up & take down.

Contact Kathryn Einig at Ktown969@gmail.com or call 802-258-1983.

Hilltop Montessori School

Hilltop Montessori School

Hilltop Montessori School’s mission is for students to practice responsible independence in a caring community of curious, critical learners and thoughtful citizens. Volunteer opportunities include landscaping, help set up &/or break down events, and consider becoming a board member.

Contact Barbara Beckwith at BusAdmin@HilltopMontessori.org.

Hunger Free Vermont

Hunger Free Vermont

Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide non-profit organization that advocates and educates to bring a permanent end to hunger in Vermont through systemic change, universal strategies, and community collaboration.

Contact Jenna at JODonnell@HungerFreeVT.org.

Insight Photography Center

Insight Photography Center

Insight Photography Center provides equitable access to photography classes and workshops that empower youth to discover and express their unique voice and vision. In-Sight’s mission relates to the Co-op’s Cooperative Principles in that both value independence and cooperation. Their classes help students understand their individuality and nurture them to see themselves in relation to others. Volunteer opportunities include managing fundraising and event operations. Depending on skill and experience, they can use help working with students. Volunteers should fill out this volunteer form to share their interests and skills.

Contact Emily Wagner at Emily@InSight-Photography.org or call 802-251-9960.

Marlboro Community Center

Marlboro Community Center

The mission of the Marlboro Community Center is to support, nurture, and enrich the Marlboro Community. They are a non-profit organization under the umbrella of the Marlboro Alliance, serving the community of Marlboro, Vermont, as well as neighboring towns, and they welcome all who come through their doors. They run a cafe, host local events that spotlight local artists, stock a food pantry for those in need, offer a gathering spot for locals, are an emergency warming shelter, offer free wifi, and provide a space for the Town Library.

  • Typical volunteer work includes baking, stocking shelves, library work, event help, Cafe work, Board work, and more.
  • Contact Trey Wentworth at marlborocommunitycenter@gmail.com.
Neighborhood Roots Food Collective Inc.

Neighborhood Roots Food Collective Inc.

Neighborhood Roots Food Collective Inc. exists to support community members and local farmers in growing the food that we eat while helping to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to nourishing, locally-produced food. Volunteer opportunities include helping at the Guilford Food Hub by weighing and sorting food orders, cleaning up and organizing, greeting and assisting participants, and delivering orders to homes. There are also volunteer opportunities for gardening, leading and helping with skill-and-resource-sharing events, and stocking and maintaining their Little Free Pantries.

Contact Anna Klein at 802-488-9890 or email Anna@NeighborhoodRoots.org.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system that benefits all living things.Volunteer opportunities include stretching, doughs, chopping veggies & topping pizzas to serve at events on farms statewide with the NOFA wood-fired pizza oven.

Contact Eric at Eric@NOFAVT.org.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England is working to create healthier, more empowered communities through access to reproductive health care and sexuality education. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to phone banking, letter writing, data entry, relational organizing, creating art, rallies, canvassing, etc.

Contact Logan Snow at Logan.OGradySnow@PPNNE.org or call 802-238-9313.

Senior Solutions

Senior Solutions

Senior Solutions promotes the well-being and dignity of older adults. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to Meals & Nutrition, such as delivering Meals on Wheels, food prepping &/or clean-up at congregate meal sites, breaking down bulk pet food supplies into deliverable packets, and assisting older Vermonters with errands (food shopping, doctor appointments, etc.).

Contact Thomas Simmons at TSimmons@SeniorSolutionsVT.org.

St. Brigid’s Kitchen and Pantry

St. Brigid’s Kitchen and Pantry

St. Brigid’s Kitchen and Pantry is an agency of the Vermont Foodbank, the largest hunger relief organization in Vermont. The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry. Volunteer opportunities include washing dishes, mopping, stocking, prepping vegetables, cleaning, putting meals into to-go containers, bagging individual snacks, and moving items to and from the cellar.

Contact Carolyn at Carolyn.Pieciak@Gmail.com or call 802-558-6072.

SUSU commUNITY Farm

SUSU commUNITY Farm

SUSU commUNITY Farm is an Afro-Indigenous stewarded farm and land-based healing center in Southern Vermont that elevates Vermont’s land and foodways. Volunteer opportunities include loading CSA boxes, stocking boxes, and making phone calls.

Contact Jabari at Jabari@SUSUcommUNITYfarm.org.

Vermont Foodbank

Vermont Foodbank

Vermont Foodbank’s mission is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry. Volunteer opportunities include sorting food, harvesting/gleaning, and bagging produce.

Contact Kate Steward at KSteward@VTFoodbank.org or call 802-498-8323.

Visit Vermont Foodbank (Volunteer).

Youth Services

Youth Services

Youth Services Works to build resilience and be a catalyst for change. They believe in “helping people learn how to grow, both as individuals and as a family, so that they can solve their own problems.” The Brattleboro Community Justice Center recently merged with Youth Services’ Restorative Justice Programs–together, they provide restorative justice programs for youth and adults throughout Windham County. Volunteer opportunities include:

  1. Court Diversion Panels: A restorative process for youth and adults as an alternative to court proceedings. This requires a commitment to monthly 2 ½ hour meetings and a 9-hour training program.
  2. Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Panels: A restorative process with youth who are on probation. This requires a monthly 1 ½ hour meeting (sometimes can be less frequent) and a 9-hour training program.
  3. Tamarack Court Diversion Panels: Focuses on individuals whose offenses are related to mental health &/or substance use. This requires a commitment to a monthly 1 ½ hour meeting, and training requirements can be obtained when you call the contact above.
  4. Reparative Board Panels: A restorative process for adults who have committed misdemeanor offenses. This requires a commitment to a monthly 2-hour meeting and an 8-hour training program.
  5. Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA): A program where you meet with formerly incarcerated adults to support their transition back into the community and promote community safety. This requires a weekly one-hour meeting with a small group for at least a year.
  6. Food Delivery: You can volunteer to deliver Everyone Eats meals to justice system-involved clients living in Brattleboro. This requires a commitment to one-hour sessions for two to four delivery days.

Contact Jonathan Elwell at Jonathan@BrattleboroCJC.org or call 802-289-0387.

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