giving back 2% of each Tuesday’s total sales

We’ve donated over $34,000 to SLO nonprofits since 2020. Together, we’ll continue the mission into 2023 and beyond.

Designed to give back 2% of each Tuesday’s total sales to a worthy local nonprofit, the 2% Tuesday program began in July 2020. That initial effort supported the store’s first recipient, R.A.C.E. Matters SLO. From there, the program blossomed into a popular way for shoppers to give back to the local causes that matter most.

Other 2020 2% Tuesday recipients included Transitions-Mental Health Association and RISE Matters SLO, which helped us wrap up the 2020 year with a $1,944.60 donation.  SLO Food Co-op General Manager Zack Sheppard highlighted the good cooperatives can do within the community as a whole.  

“Co-ops strengthen the community. The success of our 2% Tuesdays program shows that our shoppers care not just about local food, but the overall well-being of our friends and neighbors. Together with our shoppers, we’ve helped folks grappling with housing insecurity, mental health issues, abuse and injustice,” Sheppard said. “Food co-ops, in particular, create incredible value for all, from coming together to support important shared issues to championing local farmers and growers to encouraging active, engaged ownership of a shared vision of a better future.”

In November and December 2020, the Co-op also raised more than $600 for People’s Self-Help Housing with a new “Giving Tree” effort. The community outreach program encouraged shoppers to donate a monetary amount of their choosing at check-out over the holiday season. Donation ornaments were displayed on the Co-op tree, spurring others to give, too.

“Our community continues to show their energized support for local nonprofits, families in need and local businesses we value and hold dear,” said SLO Food Co-op Communications Coordinator Kasey Main. 

“The positive responses we see for our 2% Tuesdays outreach provides a compass for the continual excitement we have in facilitating these programs for our shared communities. We are pleased to reinforce our vision of empowering health and well-being in our community through our current outreach opportunities, and looking forward to many more on the horizon.”

Learn more about our donations in 2020