Co-ops are, by definition, committed to serving their membership. In addition to providing excellent products, the Kootenay Co-op is dedicated to connecting with our membership in a concerned and meaningful way and to supporting sustainable development in the larger community.

To this end the Co-op offers a wide range of opportunities for individual members and non-profit organizations to further their community service as well as their own health & well-being. We provide annual grants, bursaries, endowments, gift certificates, classes, discounts, food donations & platters for special events. Click here for more information and application forms

How can the Co-op help you or your organization? Click here for Services To The Community

In Store Services

1. Member Discounts as outlined in the Membership Pamphlet.
2. Patronage Refunds are dependent upon the financial health of the Co-op and voted upon at each AGM. They have been paid to the membership for the last four successive years.
3. Special orders
4. Delivery service
5. Community bulletin board
6. Promotional events such as World Food Day, Earth Day, Co-op birthday, member picnic, etc.
7. Barter Buck Tuesdays

Bursaries

Three $500 Bursaries are awarded each year:

• The Kootenay Co-op Youth Award
  All youth (up to and including 25 years) who are pursuing post-secondary education and are active Co-op members, or whose parent(s) are active Co-op members, are eligible to apply.
• The Linda Prentice Memorial Award
  Open to any woman who is currently residing in the West Kootenays and is pursuing accredited studies in alternative medicine.
• The Gordon Seward Art & Music Award
  Open to anyone currently residing in the West Kootenays who is pursuing accredited studies in Art or Music.

Educational Opportunities for Members

• Member information pamphlet
• Monthly newsletter
• Workshops, cooking classes & health classes
• Guest speaker sponsorship
• Recipes
• Politics of food info
• Dietary needs info
• Store tours
• Co-op website
• Product Information

Member Input Encouraged

Suggestion board
General membership meetings
Board service, board meetings and AGM
Surveys

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Endowments & Donations
Priority is given to community non-profit groups for food-related projects, but all community groups are welcome to apply.

• The $500 Annual Endowment. Deadline for applications is July 31.
• World Food Day Donation. Deadline for applications is September 30th. To commemorate World Food Day on October 16th each year, the Co-op donates 5% of sales to an eligible group.
• Community Donation Days. The third Tuesday of every month is designated Community Donation Day. 1% of sales is donated to an eligible group.
• Donation cards at the till. It's easy for customers to use these donation cards. Suggested donation per swipe is $2.00, but the donation can be for any amount. Customers often round up their shopping bill by donating their change. Currently we have four groups in our till donations program:
  • The West Kootenay Women's Centre,
  • The Advocacy Centre,
  • The Aimee Beaulieu Transition House
  • Home Support Community Kitchen
  Let us know if you would like us to consider your group.
• The Seasonal Giving Tree. Our Giving Tree is laden with $10 coupons. When you ring these through the till with your regular purchases, that dollar amount will be given to a variety of community groups who provide dinners for those in need during the holiday season. Other organizations are invited to apply. The groups for 2003 were:
  • The Salvation Army
  • The Food Cupboard
  • Our Daily Bread
  • ANKORS
• 15% discount for community dinners. Ask if your community event qualifies for this discount.
• Miscellaneous Donations. We can give gift certificates for a door prize or silent auction at your fundraising event. We can make you a fruit or veggie platter for your reception. Let us know how we can help you.
• Food Donations. Food which is unsaleable but still edible is donated to food banks and community kitchens only.

Other way the Co-op supports our community:

Event sponsorship. The Co-op supports Youth Soccer, Co-op Radio, Streetfest, Filmfest and offers program advertising for shows, festivals and community gatherings. We can also support a speaker to come to the area.

Speakers & workshops. Ask us to deliver a cooking class, food demo or talk on health & nutrition or alternative medicine to your group. We have a number of staff with a wealth of experience and knowledge in a number of health-related areas as well as having access to resources in our community.

The Co-op covered patio is available for non-profit, non-political groups for them to raise awareness about their particular projects. You can phone or call in person at the office to reserve this space.

The Welcome Wagon & Baby Welcome. The Co-op supports new residents & new moms with a gift certificate or discount coupon.

How you help the Co-op support your community:

By being a Co-op shopper you automatically support your community. Here's a few additional suggestions...

• Shop on Community Donation Days & World Food Days
• Use the till Donations cards (a great way to keep change out of your pocket)
• Support The Seasonal Giving Tree
• Join in the fundraising socials

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Application Forms:

How to apply for a bursary
Deadline: April 30th each year. Bursaries will be presented at your high school graduation ceremony or at a Kootenay Co-op Event. The bursary will be paid to the Institute upon proof of enrolment. Candidates may apply each year. Current staff members and their families are ineligible to apply. Click here for more information and application forms

How To Apply for an Endowment or Donation
Applications should be sent to the Marketing Co-ordinator, before the deadlines outlined, or well in advance of the date of your event. Click here for more information and application forms