Our co-op community, July – August 2018

PCC supports our community through partnerships, sponsorships, events and donations. If you have an upcoming event that you would like us to support, please visit pccmarkets.com/sustainability/socially-responsible.

Q3 Grant Recipients

by Rebecca Robinson, M.A.

This quarter, we’re delighted to announce recipients of two grants for social action and environmental stewardship.

Washington Kids in Transition receives Social Action Grant

Washington Kids in Transition is a volunteer-run organization that connects homeless children with essentials, including food and clothing. Thousands of kids in our region live in tents, cars or shelters. Food access is a critical issue. Regular meals and healthy food are necessary for growth and learning.

PCC’s grant will provide funds to purchase daily snacks for children facing food insecurity in the Edmonds school district. There are more than 600 children in the district who are considered homeless. For many of them, their only meal is their school-provided lunch. Washington Kids in Transition’s snack program provides bags of food on the school bus, which kids can take home, ensuring another reliable source of food for children. These snacks are shelf-stable and portable, so they’re easy to carry and keep, regardless of whether children have access to cookware or refrigeration.

Got Green receives Environmental Stewardship Grant

Got Green is a South Seattle-based organization that promotes equitable and sustainable economic resilience through the lens of climate justice. It empowers low-income people and communities of color to access the benefits of the green economy.

Food access/security is one of the many socioeconomic inequities that Got Green addresses. In Seattle about 122,000 households fall into the “food security gap.” Caught between poverty and economic security, these people are not eligible for food assistance programs but struggle to get enough food.

Got Green’s Food Access outreach team develops community capacity to close the food security gap. They’re accomplishing this through research, education, advocacy and partnerships that create food justice programs and healthier local food systems.

PCC’s grant will help Got Green afford healthy food and childcare at their meetings and community events, making it easier for individuals and families to engage with the organization.

Cinema Under the Stars: SEED Art

Saturday, August 18, 7 p.m.

Columbia Park, Seattle

Columbia City PCC is a main sponsor for SEED Arts’ Cinema Under the Stars event, a beloved tradition in its seventh year. This event is free, open to the public, and family-friendly. The August 18 screening is the Pixar animated film “Coco,” about an aspiring young musician who travels to the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather.

There will be booths and tables with local vendors and nonprofit organizations that event attendees can peruse before the show starts. You also can stop by PCC for delicious snacks to enjoy during the film. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring blankets and low-backed lawn chairs. The film starts right after dusk.

For more information, visit thestranger.com/events/26092819/cinema-under-the-stars.

Columbia City Farmers Market Zucchini race

Wednesday, August 8, 4 to 6 p.m.

37th Ave S., Seattle

PCC is a main sponsor of the Columbia City Farmers Market from May to mid-October. Part of our sponsorship supports the annual Zucchini 500 race. This tradition involves kids of all ages making a fun and decorative car out of a zucchini, donated by local farmers. Come join the fun and support local farmers!

Visit seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/columbia-city for more information.