Natural Grocers, one of the nation’s largest family-operated natural and organic grocery retailers, has established The Natural Grocers Heroes in Aprons Fund, a nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
The Heroes in Aprons Fund brings together the company’s long-standing charitable efforts under one umbrella. It provides both short-term financial assistance to its employees who experience unanticipated hardships and directs grants to Natural Grocers’ charity partners in the community.
The fund was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception in 1955, charitable giving has been a company mainstay – co-founder Margaret Isely kept a community food cabinet at the first store from which she would give families in need the ingredients for a nutritious meal. Over the subsequent decades, Natural Grocers has developed enduring partnerships with various charities that better the lives of the communities in the 20 states the company serves.
Charitable partners include organizations that focus on fighting food insecurity, fostering sustainability and protecting the planet, providing relief to communities impacted by natural disasters, civil rights advocacy and scholarship endowments for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Heroes in Aprons will rely primarily on corporate donations from Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers and individual donations from employees. Funds will be collected throughout the year from sales-based giveback programs, as well as company initiatives centered on current events and community needs.
Heroes in Aprons’ first fundraising effort will begin during Natural Grocers 66th-anniversary celebration, when 1 percent of all sales on Aug. 12 will be donated to the charity.
The objective of the grant is to provide short-term financial assistance to employees or their immediate family members who have encountered severe economic hardship due to sickness, natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances.
“Our good4u Crew [employees] and communities are the backbone of this company, and supporting their health and well-being goes beyond free nutrition education and affordable, nutritious groceries,” said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers chairman and co-president. “Along with our customers, we have always been active supporters of our good4u Crew and causes that sustain the flourishing of our communities. We are proud to officially launch Heroes in Aprons to further our continued charitable efforts.”
