The Moscow Food Co-op engagement and outreach committee is happy to announce that our new Impulse Giving program was successfully launched in December. Now, anyone can give any amount at any time to our program participants at any Co-op cash register.

You might wonder how this program differs from our Dime in Time program. The Dime in Time program is the Co-op’s way of encouraging you to use permanent shopping bags by rewarding you in cash; it is your choice to donate these dimes to the Dime in Time recipient or keep the dime for yourself, and our cashiers will ask what you’d like to do with your dimes. Impulse Giving funds will come from shoppers who decide to give at the register, without being prompted by cashiers; their donations will be rung up just like a purchase.

We are excited to see the response from our members and customers. Just a few weeks ago, I read an article in the “New York Times” that highlighted how important small donations are to non-profit organizations. In many cases, small donations are their main source of support, even for charities that do huge amounts of great work.
Truly, dimes and quarters and dollars add up fast when enough people give, and give often. I think that just as we cooperate to provide ourselves with great food, we can cooperate to serve others in our community.

We started with organizations that have been in the Dime in Time program or are already closely aligned with the Co-op such as PCEI, Rural Roots and Backyard Harvest. Now we are accepting applications for the program, which will be reviewed when necessary by the Dime in Time committee for inclusion in the program. Space is limited, so organizations might rotate in and out of the program depending on the demand in new applicants and the amount of donations received.

Applications for all of the Co-op’s community contributions programs are available in the back of the store in the rack near the bulletin board (next to the chilled drinks) or on the Co-op website.

The following are the initial choices for those who wish to participate in the Impulse Giving program:
 
Sojourners Alliance
The Sojourners serve transitional homeless men, women and children. Promoting the personal growth and empowerment to people in transition by providing housing and basic services.
 
Humane Society of the Palouse
http://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/
Working to ensure the humane treatment, welfare, and safety of companion animals in Moscow and Latah County.
 
Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse
http://www.atvp.org/
AVTP serves victims of violent crimes in the Palouse region. Working to provide a safe, supportive environment where victims and survivors are provided opportunities for advocacy, safety, learning and self-determination.
 
First Book Sigma Tau Delta
First Book serves children of limited income. Promoting literacy among limited-income children by fundraising for book purchases and then introducing the books to children, meeting the needs of the communities in rural Latah County.
 
Center for Civic Engagement 
http://cce.wsu.edu
CCE serves WSU students, faculty, campus departments, and community partners. Promoting civic responsibility, community knowledge, and self-awareness through education and action.
 
Palouse Prairie Charter School
http://www.palouseprairieschool.org/
PPSEL serves the children and community of the Palouse. Working to provide an inclusive, respectful and supportive learning environment that nurtures the individual as a thoughtful participant in our local and global community.
 
The Palouse Land Trust Inc.
http://www.palouselandtrust.org/
PLT serves the communities of the Palouse. Working to conserve the open space, wildlife habitat, water quality and scenery of the Palouse.
 
Rendezvous in Moscow, Inc.
www.moscowmusic.com/Rendezvous
www.moscowmusic.com/r4kids/home.asp
RMI serves the children of the Palouse. Working to provide Moscow, Latah County, and the Palouse region with quality summer art and music festival that is accessible, enjoyable and educational for all ages and socioeconomic groups.
 
Buy Local Moscow, Inc.
http://www.buylocalmoscow.com/
BLM serves the community of businesses in Moscow, Idaho. Building the Moscow community by supporting and promoting the locally-owned, independent businesses that reinvest their profits within the community, donate consistently to local programs, maintain diverse product choices and strengthen Moscow’s unique character.
 
R.E.A.C.H. (Retired Equine and Care Habitat)
REACH serves retired, abused, neglected or abandoned equines as an alternative to slaughter. Working to provide loving care and attention while our horses rehabilitate in a safe and healthy environment.
 
Rural Roots
http://www.ruralroots.org/
RR serves the agricultural and non-agricultural communities of the Palouse and the Inland Northwest. Working to support and enhance sustainable and organic agriculture and community-based food systems in the Inland Northwest.
 
Community Action Partnership
http://idahocommunityaction.org/
CAP serves the lower income communities of the Palouse. Working to improve the conditions and support the communities of low-income residents in Latah County.
 
Latah Trail Foundation
http://www.latahtrailfoundation.org/
LTF serves the citizens and visitors of the Palouse. Working to preserve the historic Moscow-Arrow railroad corridor for non-motorized recreational and transportation uses.
 
Backyard Harvest
http://www.backyardharvest.org/
Backyard Harvest serves the region, providing low-income families and older adults with better access to nutritious, fresh foods by encouraging small-scale, residential growing efforts.
 
Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI)
http://www.pcei.org/
PCEI increases citizen involvement in decisions that affect our region’s environment. Through community organizing and education, PCEI assists members of our communities in making environmentally sound and economically viable decisions that promote a sustainable future. PCEI works throughout Idaho and eastern Washington to connect people, place and community.