By Ashlyn Rhodes

Briar Patch is launching a community fundraising program this month called “Co-op CAUSE.”  Briar Patch’s Marketing Manager Stephanie Mandel says that for the months of April and May, any of Briar Patch’s daily 2000 customers will get the option of rounding their purchase total up to the nearest dollar and donating the change to groups working with Briar Patch.

click to hear Stephanie Mandel

The group starting the new program off is the Environmental Committee of Nevada Union, a club started last year and run by Junet Bedayn and Bella Brownwood.  The club helped to get the plastic bag ban passed last year.  They also gave away over 200 reusable bags they made from T-shirts.  Vice president Bedayn says this year, they’re tackling recycling on NU’s campus.

click to hear Junet Bedayn

Each of those bins costs around $300.  Mandel says Briar Patch loved the idea and want to help.

click to hear Stephanie Mandel

Briar Patch has already chosen all the groups they want donations to benefit this year.  Each group will receive donations from shoppers for two months before the next group will get a turn to benefit.  You can find out more about Co-Op CAUSE by going online to BriarPatch.com.  To learn more about the Enviconmental Committee club, or to donate towards their recycle bin project, visit their Facebook page.