Last year, Kaily Hetherton and Pilar Hari from the Haggen Foundation, reached out to us with a simple question: “Does your organization have a ‘pie in the sky’ dream that seems impossible to fund?”
After a short discussion which included many impossible ideas, our team unanimously settled on a clear favorite – an e-transit van to electrify our donation pickup service.
Our dream is that our daily operations be as environmentally friendly as the homes we build. For a nonprofit used to pinching pennies, and being the 10th owner of what was once a moving company truck, an all-electric vehicle seemed far away from being within reach (let alone a brand new one!).
But thanks to the Haggen foundation, that ‘pie in the sky’ dream became a reality this year. The brand new all-electric van will be used to provide express donation pickups throughout all of Whatcom County. It has also allowed us to roll out a delivery service for items purchased at the store, allowing our customers to skip the hassle of finding a way to transport large items home.
The Haggen Foundation’s Community Giving Program has given over $3 million in grants to the communities that Haggen serves, helping over 150 unique organizations since September of 2020. The program aims to address four areas of focus: community Wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion, hunger, and youth and education.
“Due to the pandemic Haggen Food & Pharmacy was compelled to reevaluate the support provided to its communities and their programs,” said Kaily Hetherton, Community Relations Manager at Haggen, “We have been beyond pleased with the success of our program. Haggen’s Community Giving program brings positive, lasting change to the communities we serve.”
“Funding the purchase of a dependable, electric vehicle that turns donations of new and gently used items into building safe, affordable housing in Whatcom County aligns perfectly with the scope of Haggen’s Community Giving program… Being able to support a project like this, that not only supports our community but also our environment, is hands down the best part of what we do!
“Habitats’ vision of ‘A world where everyone has a decent place to live’ is one Haggen Food & Pharmacy and The Haggen Foundation believe in. Habitat’s work is an excellent example of the good that can be accomplished when banding together as a community; Haggen is honored to have a role in that.”
Call us at 360-778-2036 x1001 to schedule a donation pickup, and as always shop, donate, and volunteer to build affordable housing in Whatcom County.
