Three local nonprofit organizations recently received donations from Rising Tide Community Market’s Co-ops for Community Day program. Co-ops for Community Day donation recipients are chosen by the co-op’s 3,200+ member-owners during annual elections each spring, and a different nonprofit is selected to receive .5 percent of Wednesday sales for each month.

In September, Rising Tide donated $347.63 to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, which provides a temporary, loving home for stray and abused cats, dogs, and other small animals, and facilitates their adoption into permanent homes. November is Senior Pet Month, and adoption fees are waived this month for dogs and cats aged 8 years and older. LCAS recently merged with Coastal Humane Society, based in Brunswick, with the goal of improving care for the animals, as well as increased administrative support. You can find information about available animals and the adoption process on the Lincoln County Animal Shelter website: www.lcasmaine.com.

Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools (FARMS) received a Co-ops for Community Day donation of $393.64 from their allotted month of August. FARMS’ mission includes offering hands-on experiences for people of all ages to develop expertise in cooking and gardening and a passion for healthier living, and providing education about good nutrition and the role of local farms in promoting healthy, sustainable communities. FARMS has provided in-school education to local youth for many years, and now operates the FARMS Community Kitchen and Food Learning Center, a teaching kitchen and classroom space located upstairs from Rising Tide at 323 Main Street in Damariscotta. More information about FARMS, including a listing of upcoming classes for adults and children, is available at www.mefarms.org.

The ElderCare Network of Lincoln County was the Co-ops for Community Day beneficiary for the month of July, and received a donation of $446.80. The ElderCare Network began in the 1990s with a mission to provide home-like assisted living residences for Lincoln County’s elders, regardless of their income. They now operate seven residences throughout Lincoln County, in Boothbay, Wiscasset, Edgecomb, Round Pond, Damariscotta, Jefferson, and Waldoboro. The residences are located in village settings, and emphasize compassionate, personalized care. The ElderCare Network also offers in-home support for seniors living independently, and adult day services and respite care to support those caring for elderly relatives. For more information, call 563-2148 or visit www.eldercarenetwork.org.

During the months of November and December, .5 percent of Wednesday sales will support Rising Tide’s Community Investment Fund (CIF), which provides grants to local organizations working in the areas of food and hunger, cooperatives, environment, or community. In the past few years, the CIF has awarded grants to the Medomak Mobile Home Cooperative, Ashwood Waldorf School, the Heirloom Seed Project at MVHS, and Rippling Waters Farm, among others. Information about the CIF, including a grant application, is available at www.risingtide.coop/cif.

Rising Tide Community Market is a cooperatively owned natural foods grocery store located at 323 Main Street in Damariscotta. More information about the store and its Co-ops for Community Day program can be found at www.risingtide.coop.