June 21, 2011 Kingston New York - Mother Earth's Storehouse donation of $69,000.00 to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. Pictured from left to right; Kevin Schneider (Mother Earth's) , Toni Gutter (Food Bank) and Chris Schneider.
For the third year, Mother Earth’s Storehouse gives generously to Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
Hudson River Valley may be only 100 miles away from the Big Apple, though every day thousands of children go to bed without a bite. The statistics of malnutrition in our own New York communities are surprising. With the help of a local business and the generosity of its patrons, there are many less empty cupboards. The 2011 Summer donation of $69,000 is the year-end 2010 “Rewards” program amount. Making this year the largest donation Mother Earth’s Storehouse has given to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. It’s a proud reminder that “Buying Local” is smart.
Buying Local is More Than a Movement
Buying local, is a sure way to keep money in your local economy. In the case of Mother Earth’s, their continued support helps the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in its mission to provide food to over 370 feeding programs. The Food Bank distributes food to people in need through food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, day care centers, senior programs, and rehabilitation programs in six counties (Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan, Putnam and Rockland) in the Hudson Valley.
“We sell organic foods which are produced locally. Our customers appreciate good nutrition and that they’re helping provide for less-fortunate families in their community, whenever they use their [Rewards] card.”
Brothers Chris and Kevin Schneider recognized the reality of hunger in the Hudson Valley and knew that their customers would be willing to help. In 2009 they created an “Rewards Card”. The card offers discount incentives to its users and a 1% donation through the “Rewards” program. When $250.00 of purchases is reached, 1% gets set aside for the annual Food Bank donation. The process is simple and hassle-free. Every year the amount has grown. With this year’s donation amount of $69,000.00.
“… I like to brag that our customers are caring folks that feel a responsibility to the their communities and the world around them.”
Like a seedling, the Customer Rewards Program has continued to grow with each passing year. It makes perfect sense. A “growing” analogy that isn’t missed by the Bronx-born brothers who opened their first natural food store over 33 years ago. “We sell organic foods which are produced locally. Our customers appreciate good nutrition. And that they are helping provide for less-fortunate families whenever they use their [Rewards] card.” Kevin Schneider continued, “… I like to brag that our customers are caring folks that feel a responsibility to the world around them.”
Well ahead of the “Organic” food trend
Although it may seem like a recent trend, the organic and sustainable “Buy Local” movement has been around for many decades. In 1979, when the Kingston New York Storehouse opened, Mother Earth’s was an unlikely competitor to larger food chains. They had their own niche and it was selling locally produced food and supplements. Few if any of the corporate stores gave serious consideration to health-conscious customers. It was a fringe of the market that they were willing to ignore.
Even though local farms were more plentiful back then, few farmers realized the growing popularity of “All-Natural” and “Organic” foods. Now days, just about every customer-conscious food market has a shelf or section dedicated to healthy-related products. Though modest in size, compared to the “big-box” supermarkets, Mother Earth’s Storehouse has [always] been focused on wholesome, nutritious foods and supplements that are not laden with artificial ingredients. Like the song proclaims, “We were country when it wasn’t cool”. Well, they were all-natural when it wasn’t cool.
Food, food everywhere nor any drop to eat
In the poem, Rime of the Ancient Mariner the writer explains bad luck fallen on a ship’s crew:
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
It’s not much different for someone who is experiencing difficult times in the current economy. Even when the world’s corporations are humming along, families in our own communities are having tough times making ends meet. In the Hudson River Valley, we are blessed with resilient hard-working folks. Bad times happen to us all. Next time you go shopping, please consider donating to a local food pantry or soup kitchen. If you don’t know where to donate to, call the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley at (845)534-5344. And, remember to stop by one of Mother Earth’s Storehouse and pick up your “Rewards Plus Card” to help Hudson Valley’s hungry.
How to Give to Hudson Valley’s Hungry
For more information about Mother Earth Storehouse and Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, please visit www.motherearthstorehouse.com or www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. For inquiries or for ways that you can help, call Toni at (845)534-5344.
