Small Checkout Donations Have Big Impact

How many times have you been asked in the grocery store line to contribute just $1 towards a cause like muscular dystrophy? Or, say, to support animals when you’re out buying pet food? I bet you think these donations don’t have any impact. After all, where does it go and how does your minuscule contribution help?

I can tell you from experience that small checkout donations in large numbers have a major impact on the mission of a nonprofit. Safeway, in particular, is well-known for this approach through its Dominick’s stores. 

Countryside Association for People with Disabilities (Palatine) received word a few weeks ago that they would receive $5,000 through the Dominick’s People with Disabilities Campaign that took place this past April. Each year, this campaign supports Easter Seals Illinois and Special Olympics of Illinois but Dominick’s employees are also afforded the opportunity to choose 5 local community organizations “that show continued support of people with special needs through job training and placement programs,” says Janet Alikpala, Public Affairs Manager for Dominick’s.

This gift, of course, is part of a much larger total collected simply by patrons opting to add a small donation amount to their transaction total. What does this $5,000 mean for Countryside program participants? Well, consider the following...

$25 — Provides 2 hours of support for an individual to acquire skills necessary to complete a challenging new job or learn important daily living skills. 

$50 — Provides 4 hours of on-site job coaching with an individual to assist them in understanding and best performing their job duties.

$100 — Provides 1 day of service for an individual to take advantage of the paid work, enrichment classes, healthy social activities, and volunteer opportunities available at Countryside’s work and training centers in Palatine and Waukegan. 

In our area—northern Cook and Lake County—Countryside is an exceptional area provider of job placement assistance and last year alone assisted 36 individuals with disabilities in obtaining a community job earning between $8.50 and $9.50 per hour. One of these placements even included a Dominick’s location, which surely had something to do with Countryside being identified as a worthy charity by Dominick’s employees! Our agency is quite proud of the widespread reputation we’ve established for providing a strong, skilled workforce—which is possible due to a substantial support system for training and promoting job readiness.

On hand to accept Countryside’s gift last Friday (Sept. 23) were Executive Director Wayne Kulick, On-site Director of Countryside Center Kathy Deka, Community Employment Services Coordinator DJ Newport, and program participant Brian H. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Dominick’s and Palatine residents who chose to contribute to the People with Disabilities campaign—you are making a difference and will create tremendous choices and opportunities for persons with disabilities. You created a fabulous day for Countryside and, in particular, Brian, who was on top of the world parading the giant check around Countryside Center so other program participants could see the generosity of the Palatine community.

So, next time you’re given the opportunity to make a small donation in the checkout line,  please consider how your small part contributes to wonderful things—such as the big dreams of employment that your neighbors with disabilities have!

Download the movie