Change Things

we dig gratitude
& giving back

Getting back to giving back

Our Change Things nonprofit support program has seen some changes over the years.

As of 2026, we quietly re-introduced this program knowing both the reinvigorated need to support nonprofits, but also recognizing that as citizens, we’re all being asked to do more, from more directions, than we can handle.

Instead of sustained campaigns asking you to give, we just dedicate the first Friday of every month to a small, local nonprofit and give them a straight cash donation based on a percentage of that day’s sales from both store locations.

You can just shop as usual, and our chosen nonprofit gets a check. Check out our 2026 lineup, and read below for past Change Things!

MonthNonprofit (linked)Total Donation
JanuaryLa Raza Community Resource Center$829.29
FebruaryBeyond Emancipation$1,104.84
MarchWomen’s Foundation of California$1,096.99
AprilUrban Compassion Project$1,182.80
MayEmpower Project$1,167.22
JuneAlameda Pride
Castro Valley Pride
Alameda: $609.51
CVNG: $488.14
Total: $1,097.65
JulyPunks with Lunch$1,657.41
AugustSogorea Te’ Land Trust$1,071.05
SeptemberAlameda Food Bank
San Lorenzo Family Help Center
OctoberIsland High School (Alameda)
Redwood High School (Castro Valley)
NovemberChapter 510
DecemberActa Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project
2026$10,036.94

Ye Olde Change Things

Rounding up at the registers with our Change Things program is an easy way to make donations to great causes. We have chosen a nonprofit doing Good Things in our community to support each month. Simply round up to the nearest dollar (or more) at checkout and all donations will go directly to these organizations.

Our 2021 and Beyond Campaigns

We are continuing to raise additional funds for our front-line, hourly workforce.

We look forward to resuming our program in the future with a new lineup of nonprofits. See below for those we’ve supported in the past.

Our 2020 Change Things Nonprofits

Our chosen nonprofits for 2020. Each month we will match up to 100% of the customer contributions.

THE PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED AT THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, WITH MARCH OF 2020 BEING OUR LAST FULL MONTH. WE INSTEAD ENCOURAGED CUSTOMERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR OUR FRONT-LINE, HOURLY STAFF WHO KEPT US UP AND RUNNING DURING THE WORST DAYS. THIS WAS GIVEN EVENLY TO ALL IN ADDITION TO OUR MANY MONTHS-LONG HAZARD PAY INCREASE. WE ARE RUNNING THE EMPLOYEE FUND WHILE THE PANDEMIC PERSISTS, HOWEVER LONG THAT IS.

Some nonprofits subject to change

2020Local NonprofitCustomer DonationsTotal Donation
JanuaryMandela Partners$3,134.21$4,701.32
FebruaryUnCommon Law$2,859.93$4,289.90
MarchPlanting Justice$2,940.38$4,410.57
AprilPlant Exchange | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
MayAUSD Student Lunch Debt | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
JuneBay Area Wilderness Training | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
JulyYouth vs Apocalypse |Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
AugustRhythmix Cultural Works   |  Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
SeptemberSwing Left | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
OctoberCommunity Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
NovemberBay Area Music Project | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
DecemberAlameda Food Bank | Alameda Natural Grocery Employee Tips  
2020Total (through March)$8,934.52$13,401.78

0ur 2019 change things roster & results

2019Local NonprofitCustomer DonationsTotal Donation
JanuaryAlameda Food Bank$262.21$524.42
FebruaryFood Shift$571.28$1,142.56
MarchMidway Shelter$529.74$1,059.48
AprilPunks with Lunch$1,635.91$2,453.87
MayRhythmix Cultural Works$1,772.41$2,658.62
JuneWardrobe for Opportunity$1,404.61$2,106.92
JulyAlameda County Beekeepers Association$1,480.24$2,220.36
AugustKids for the Bay$1,288.58$1,932.87
SeptemberCentro Legal de la Raza$1,307.78$1,961.67
OctoberOakland LGBTQ Community Center$1,577.81$2,366.72
NovemberBay Area Music Project$1,703.75$2,555.63
DecemberBoys and Girls Club of Alameda$1,760.66$2,640.99
2019Total$15,294.97$23,624.10

This program is only a part of our larger philanthropic efforts which consist of product and financial contributions to local schools, nonprofits, and causes to support equity, the environment, food security, and a better future for our youth.

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