MaryJane Butters (shown here with her grand-daughter Stella) donated a children's shopping cart to the Co-op.

The first kid cart appeared at the Co-op in January. Much smaller than the usual grocery cart, this version was obviously designed for use by children shopping with their parents at the Co-op.

Adults may not have noticed, but the kids sure did. The cart was an immediate hit, and regularly in use.

Trish Gardner organized the purchase of that first cart by gathering donations from a group of her friends. The cart cost about $100 plus shipping.

Trish explains why she wanted to give a cart to the Co-op. “Sandi Klingler and I were in Spokane and went to a store that had those carts available. My daughter, Rosalyn, liked it. We realized that our children behaved better if they had the responsibility of the carts than otherwise. So we decided to get one for our Co-op.”

“I asked some of my friends to pitch in,” Trish continued. “I bought that first cart with contributions from Kirsten LaPaglia, Eve Strongoni, Sandi Klingler, Lahde Forbes, Ashley Martens, Ashley Fiedler, and Kate Jaeckel.”

Other parents noticed how popular the cart had become, and the Co-op staff was pleased that parents made sure their children behaved while using the cart, and the result is that the number of carts is now increasing.

A second cart has been ordered by MaryJane Butters. She is donating that cart because her grandchild, Stella, really enjoys pushing the cart while at the Co-op.

A third cart has also been ordered. Sandi Klingler is leading an effort to raise the money for that cart. Sandi explains that her daughter, Molly, is just one of the Co-op kids who benefit from the cart. She hopes that others will share the cost, and invites those who want to give some money for this purchase to contact her at 882-0624.

Those two new carts have been ordered, and are scheduled to appear at the Co-op in early April. When the three carts are there, the Co-op fleet will be complete. There is no room for more.