Join Natural Grocers on January 20,
2025, to support the JJ College GAP Fund through customer
donations at the register and a company pledge of 1% of the day's
sales
LAKEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 13,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers®, the nation's
leading family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer, is
proud to announce its upcoming in-store fundraising campaign in
support of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation (JJOAF) on
January 20, 2025. With a goal of
raising $45,000 or more for Jack and
Jill Foundation College Graduation Assistance Program (GAP) Fund,
the company will donate a portion of sales from all its stores
nationwide and invite customers to contribute additional donations
at the register ($1, $5, $10
increments).
The GAP Fund is used to provide scholarship endowments to
directly satisfy tuition debt of students attending Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Natural Grocers pledges to
donate 1% of sales from its 167 stores, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to help students
attending HBCUs achieve their goals.[i]
Executive Director of Jack and Jill Foundation, Pier Blake
states, "I am proud of our investment of $125,768 in 113 students that graduated in
May 2024 - across five HBCUs,
empowering the next generation of leaders. While this is a strong
step forward, we are committed to doing even more with the generous
partnership of Natural Grocers during their Martin Luther King Day campaign, as we aim to
expand our impact and uplift even more deserving students.
Together, we can continue to make dreams a reality."
Jack and Jill of America Foundation is the philanthropic arm of
Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated (JJOA, Inc.). In 1968,
mother members of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated—the
largest and most prominent African American family
organization—established Jack and Jill of America Foundation as a
charitable entity to address social issues and problems affecting
African American communities, families, and children. Currently,
Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated families (mother members,
fathers, children, teens, and associates) play a significant role
in charitable giving and fundraising to the foundation and beyond,
collectively raising more than $2
million annually.
GRATITUDE AND INSPIRATION
Annissa D. Owens, a graduate from Southern University, responded after her student
balance was paid by Jack and Jill Foundation "…financial challenges
of pursuing a higher education can often feel overwhelming, and
your support has made an immeasurable difference in my life. Thanks
to your generosity, I can now focus fully on navigating life after
college without the constant worry of student debt. I cannot thank
you enough for your dedication to supporting students like me and
your incredible generosity. It is organizations like the Jack and
Jill Foundation that help make education more accessible and
inspire hope in students striving for their dreams. Your
contribution has made a lasting impact on my life. We are forever
grateful." - Annissa D. Owens Graduate from Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA) May 2024
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
The partnership between Natural Grocers and Jack and Jill of
America was born of a shared value system of commitment to the
communities and families they serve through education and
empowerment.
Natural Grocers has a longstanding history of giving back to its
communities since it was established in 1955. With 167 stores in 21
states, Natural Grocers' commitment is manifested by supporting the
health and wellbeing of its communities with free Nutrition
Education and high-quality affordable health and wellness choices
that are accessible to all.
In addition to the national fundraising campaign on January
20, 2025, the partnership extends to a year-round give-back program
with 13 Jack and Jill of America, Inc. chapters based
in Colorado, Texas,
Oregon, and Arkansas. Members in participating Jack and
Jill of America, Inc. chapters in these markets have received a
Natural Grocers + Jack and Jill of America Partnership card, which
when presented at a Natural Grocers checkout automatically triggers
an uncapped 5% of sales give-back to the Jack and Jill of America,
Inc. chapters — 2.5% goes back to their Jack and Jill of America,
Inc. chapter and 2.5% goes to the Jack and Jill of America
Foundation - HBCU Gap Fund. Members can also receive additional
cards to share with friends and family.
Visit the Natural Grocers' Store Directory to find the nearest
participating store. Additional details on the partnership can be
found here.
- Click here to learn more about the Jack and Jill of America
Foundation and the College GAP Fund.
- Click here to directly support the College GAP Fund and educate
students from HBCUs.
- For a complimentary media kit click here.
- For media inquiries contact kmacarelli@naturalgrocers.com.
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE
Founded in
1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is
an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries,
body care products, and dietary supplements. The grocery products
sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may
not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners (as
defined by its standards), synthetic colors, or partially
hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only
USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised,
non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural
Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer
affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient
retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free
science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and
Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is
committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its
"Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew". In fiscal
year 2024, the Company invested more than $15 million in incremental compensation and
discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union
Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 167
stores in 21 states. Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for
more information and store locations.
ABOUT JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA FOUNDATION
Incorporated
as a public charity in 1968, Jack and Jill of America Foundation,
Inc. is the oldest African American-led philanthropic nonprofit
organization in the United States
dedicated to supporting underserved communities. As the
philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, the
foundation's focus is to address issues affecting African American
children and families by investing in programs that provide quality
education, healthcare, and a safe environment. Jack and Jill of
America Foundation's mission is to create a strong foundation for
children's long-term growth with the purpose of transforming
African American communities, one child at a time. To learn more,
please visit www.jackandjillfoundation.org or Facebook, YouTube,
Instagram, LinkedIn: Jack and Jill Foundation.
ABOUT JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA, INCORPORATED
Jack and
Jill of America, Inc. was founded in 1938 to nurture future African
American leaders by stimulating the growth and development of
children through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health
and social programs inspired by mothers. Through its 267 chapters
organized in seven regions across the United States, Jack and
Jill is considered the largest African American family organization
in the nation representing 70,000 family members which includes,
mother members, fathers, and children ages two through 19. For more
information about Jack and Jill of America, Inc. please visit
jackandjillinc.org or @jackandjillinc on Facebook, Instagram,
X, TikTok, or LinkedIn: Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
[i] Excludes gift cards.
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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.