SPAN’s work is deeply rooted in the community, and for us to stay strong we need at least 25% of our annual $1.6 million budget to come from community-based support. This includes revenues from special events like the Chocolate Lovers’ Fling, individual donations and support from local businesses.
Of course support takes many forms, and even when a business doesn’t donate cash to SPAN they can have real impact. A great example of this is the annual donation of five CSA shares to SPAN from Isabelle Organic Farm. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, a system that allows people to support local farmers, keeping them viable, and at the same time, enjoy high-quality fresh produce. Community members support the farm by purchasing a farm share before the growing season and then enjoy an entire season of weekly pick-ups of fresh produce.
We use one CSA share for our live auction at the Chocolate Lovers’ Fling, but Isabelle Farm’s donation of CSA shares to SPAN primarily allows us to offer residents at our Emergency Shelter and clients in our Transitional Services Program fresh, nutritious organic produce all season long. Isabelle Farm even donates certificates so clients can visit the pumpkin patch with their kids at Halloween! It is an incredibly generous donation, and one that helps not only feed survivors and their children healthy veggies. This donation helps feed people’s hearts, breaking down barriers of isolation and helping SPAN’s clients feel supported by a community that cares.
Isabelle Farm has CSA shares that work for households of every size. Pickups are at the Farm’s wonderful store, located on Lafayette’s Thomas Farm Open Space, and you can add CSA shares for Western Slope fruit, locally baked bread, and Fair Trade coffee. CSA is an important part of keeping small farms alive in our community! We encourage you to eat your veggies, and support a business that supports SPAN.