Weaver Street Market award grants each year to local nonprofits for community projects that focus on “Access to Healthy Food.”
The grants come from our Cooperative Community Fund (CCF), a sustainable endowment fund for community donations. In the past, WSM grew the endowment fund through contributions from owners and shoppers, including the purchase of Hope for the Holiday products, proceeds from wine shows and co-op events, and donated owner dividends and shares. The endowment’s current value is $370,000.
Since its inception in 2006, this endowment fund has grown and distributed over $91,559 in grants to 47 local non-profit organizations. Each year, a dedicated committee of consumer and worker-owners carefully selects the grant recipients with community projects that focus on “Access to Healthy Food” (such as Community Agriculture, Hunger Relief, Nutrition and Cooking Education, Healthy Food Environments, Advocacy, and Food Waste).
Cooperative Community Grants are closed for this year!
2024 CCF Grant Recipients
$3,250: The Alliance of AIDS Services Carolina received a grant for their Pop-up Pantry Project, specifically to pay for refrigeration and a gas card for their Pop-up Pantry Truck. This project brings the benefits of their on-site pantry to urban and rural communities by delivering healthy food to those in Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Johnston, Orange, and Wake Counties.
With two Pop-Up Pantries each month, the refrigerated truck travels to pre-announced locations where individuals can collect food boxes to support their families. The organization ensures that everyone, including those living with HIV/AIDS, has access to necessary nutritional resources, reinforcing their commitment to community health and well-being.
$4,500: PORCH Hillsborough received a grant to support their PORCH Fresh Project, specifically to cover one month’s portion of food for Orange County School families. PORCH Hillsborough has been dedicated to providing fresh, healthy food to food-insecure families since 2020 through its PORCH Fresh program.
They collaborate with local distributors to supply North Carolina fresh produce, proteins, and eggs, ensuring these essential items are accessible to those in need. By partnering with Orange County Schools they aim to ensure that school-aged children receive the necessary nutrients for healthy development and growth.
$3,250: TABLE has received a grant of to expand their refrigeration capabilities for the Help Kids Grow Strong! More Local Protein & Food Safety for Kids & Families Project. The grant will fund the purchase of coolers, allowing perishable food for families like dairy, eggs, and meat cool outside until families can get home from school and work, thereby improving the variety and nutritional value of the food provided. This expansion will help preserve food quality, reduce waste, and meet the nutritional needs of children, ultimately enhancing their physical health and well-being.
For over a decade, TABLE has been supporting the nutritional needs of children in Orange County by delivering weekly bags of healthy nonperishables and fresh produce directly to their homes. This initiative ensures that kids receive the essential nutrients they need to maintain their growth, gain more energy, sleep better, and support their overall development.