Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1339624
SantaCruzSentinel.Com February 12, 2021 | READERS CHOICE | 17 During a tough year, Lindsay says, New Leaf didn't compromise on their values. "By never wavering from our commitment to donating 10 percent of our after-tax profits right back into the community, we are invested in the health and well- ness of our neighbors through hun- ger relief, K-12 education, and envi- ronmental stewardship," she shares. While turning their focus to meet- ing the community's urgent, ever- changing needs, Lindsay says, they still "…upheld the giving programs that are a cornerstone of our mis- sion." Envirotokens is a program they have operated since 1993, to encourage the reuse of grocery bags. It was actually launched at the sug- gestion of a customer! For each bag reused, customers receive a token worth 10 cents to assign to one of six beneficiaries (currently they don't hand out 'physical tokens' for safety reasons). Twice a year, customers at each store location vote in a new set of six local nonprofits to be ben- eficiaries. Recent beneficiaries have included Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County, FoodWhat?!, Head- ing Home Animal Rescue, Save Our Shores, and Walnut Ave. Family & Women's Center. Since 1993, New Leaf has donated over $1 million to non-profits (including $100,000 in 2020) and has kept more than 11 mil- lion bags out of local landfills in San- ta Cruz County and Half Moon Bay. Also, New Leaf helped victims of last summer's CZU Lightning Fire and provided hunger relief dur- ing the holiday season with Second Harvest Food Bank. And they work with local college food pantries to help students experiencing f ood insecurity. Since 2018, New Leaf has donated food items and other prod- ucts to UC Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College's Aptos and Watsonville campuses. ...continued from 16 Moreland Notre Dame Educating Students for Life Educating students for life for 120 years Providing a quality Catholic education that nurtures academic excellence in a faith-filled community for children TK - 8th grade. Contact Us 133 Brennan St., Watsonville, CA 831-728-2051 mndschool.org Moreland Notre Dame School mnd_school l mnd_s L i z K r o f t & L a n c e H u l s e y