Kirby’s Community Shares
Reaching out a Helping hand….
We all know that people are struggling right now; it can be hard to know how to help.
As CSA members and CSA farmers, we also know that a CSA share is a joy to pick up each week, and it brings so many benefits, including better health. "Kirby's Community CSA Shares" is an invitation to join us in gifting CSA shares to community members in need. If you would like to help, donate here through our online store. Then Kirby's will match donations received up to $1500, effectively doubling Community Shares.
We hope you see "Kirby's Community CSA Shares" as an opportunity. If we can make it easier to help the people around us that need it, this will be a success! If this isn't the right time for you to contribute, please know there are many ways that you already make our community a wonderful place. Donating is just one of many opportunities that we have each day.
In 2022, together we gifted three half shares to three very happy families! This year, our goal is to gift half shares to SIX families. Our goal is to raise $1500, which we will then match. If just $5 is donated from each of our CSA memberships, we’ll reach our goal!
Read on, to learn how it will work!
How many shares will be donated?
That depends on the total amount of donations we receive. As soon as donations total enough to fund a share (prorated through the season), we'll gift that Half Share to a neighbor that needs it. Right now the plan is to keep the Community Share in our online store all season, and continue to gift shares each time we receive enough. Our maximum total is six Half Shares - that would be $1,449 in contributions from our CSA members for three shares, and matched by Kirby’s for another three shares.
How much should I give?
As much or as little as you'd like. The listing in our online store will be available in $5 and $50 increments. You can purchase as many as you'd like to equal your desired donation.
How are recipients chosen?
We're partnering with local non-profits. For example, in previous years Kirby's worked with social workers at Brockport Central School and Gates Central School to connect us with families in need. An important aspect of this outreach is the option of anonymity: the family will be given a gift code to purchase their share in our online store, and continue the season just like the rest of our CSA members. They can remain anonymous if they wish, or communicate in whatever way they'd like with Kirby's. If we receive enough donations to expand, we'll reach out to organizations in other neighborhoods where our CSA is delivered.
Will contributors know the results of the outreach?
Yes, we'll be pretty excited to share the results this season, while maintaining the privacy of recipients. We'll give updates as we get closer to our goal, and let you know when a share has been gifted in the weekly email.
This idea was inspired by the love and generosity that we've seen in our wonderful CSA members, and the giving spirit of our family, especially George and Terry Kirby, and Tim and Linda Kirby. <3
Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions!