Change Within Reach Program
Our Change Within Reach program gives Co-op shoppers the chance to contribute to community organizations in a way that does not break the bank but cumulatively makes a huge impact. Each month a local non-profit organization is featured as the program’s recipient to receive one hundred percent of the funds raised over the course of that month. It is anticipated participating organizations could receive donations of $1,000-$2,000.
Shoppers donate by allowing their purchase amount to be rounded up to the next highest dollar. Since the program started in April of 2014, Natural Harvest shoppers have raised over $150,000 for local non-profit organizations; in 2023 alone, over $26,350 was raised.
Your Co-op would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Co-op Shoppers for your continued donations and overall support of the program and another huge THANK YOU to the local non-profit organizations for the critical work they do to serve our Iron Range Community!
Are you affiliated with a local non-profit organization that would benefit from this program?
Every year, we ask local non-profit organizations that service our community to apply for this program.
Applications for 2026 will be available early 2025.
Letters announcing the selected recipients of the 2025 Change Within Reach program will be mailed in late October 2024 to every group that applied. With the influx of applications received we do our best to diversify the recipients selected from year to year. Those not selected are encouraged to apply again.
Change Within Reach Round-Up Program Eligibility:
- Your group must be a 501(c)3, 501(c)4 or other designated non-profit organization
- Your organization must serve the local Mesabi Iron Range community directly
- Your organization must be religiously and politically neutral
- Your organization must be non-discriminatory on the basis of any legally recognized category including but not limited to race, creed, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability
Current Recipient
Care Partners
Since 1999, Care Partners has helped hundreds of individuals and families residing on the Iron Range. Healthcare costs increase yearly and Care Partners alleviates some of the financial and emotional stress that occurs when someone gets cancer. They pay expenses insurance or other programs don’t cover.
Mission: To assist individuals and families financially who are dealing with cancer or life-limiting illness.
Care Partners serves the northeastern Minnesota area from Orr to Cotton and Hibbing to Ely. Donations stay local.
Learn more about this program here.
As always, thank you for your continued support! Together, we can change our community for the better.
2025 Recipients
- January: Virginia Area Historical Society
- February: Justice North
- March: Quad City Food Shelf
- April: Friends of the Greenhouse
- May: North St. Louis County 4-H
- June: Iron Range Off-Road Cyclists
- July: Northwoods/Cherry/Tower Soudan/Northeast Range JOM Parent Committee
- August: Friends of Wirtanen Pioneer Farm
- September: Friends of the Eveleth Public Library
- October: Mesabi Musical Theatre
- November: Soroptimist International of Virginia
- December: Mesabi Humane Society
September’s Change Within Reach Recap
In September 2024, our shoppers donated $1,954.70 to the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra!
The mission of Mesabi Symphony Orchestra is to keep orchestral music alive and thriving on the Iron Range. The musicians of MSO are committed to artistic excellence, community, and lifelong learning.
Learn more about this program here.
As always, thank you for your continued support! Together, we can Change our community for the better.