Thanks to our generous community, we donated a giant check to a local organization that helps survivors of domestic violence. This morning our general manager Matt Stanley presented Harbor Executive Director Terri Steenbergen with $3,476.53 (while maintaining a safe distance of six feet of course). Our staff raised the money by asking shoppers to round up their purchase totals to the next dollar in June.
The Harbor is a local non-profit that provides advocacy, prevention and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. This donation is especially timely as domestic violence calls have increased, but fortunately there’s been an outpouring of support locally since the pandemic began.
“I think it is really important for survivors, even from a non-monetary perspective, to see that there is support for them in the community. Knowing that you are not alone and that someone believes you is so important when you’re in an isolating, abusive relationship, and so to have that community support is critical,” Steenbergen said.
Donations assist the Harbor in getting survivors out of unsafe situations, providing shelter, food, transportation and anything else needed. The Harbor’s crisis line (503) 325-5735 is active 24/7.
This donation is part of Change for Community, a program by which the co-op has been able to raise nearly $40,000 to donate to local non-profits.