Donor Support for Left Foot

Every year, Left Foot Organics employs 8 to 12 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, plus 5 to 10 "at-risk" rural youth with and without disabilities, in meaningful, paid, productive work on the farm and at market. Left Foot also provides year-round community service opportunities, as well as numerous workshops on sustainable farming and related topics, for hundreds of volunteers of all ages.

Produce sales are the single largest source of revenue for our work. Selling food directly to consumers is an essential part of Left Foot's model of creating inclusion, and of our organization's financial sustainability. However, sales alone cannot support our multiple objectives. To grow food and people, to nurture plants and community, financial support is necessary from many other sources as well, including:

• Grants
• Tax deductible cash donations
• Fundraising events
• In kind gifts of goods and services

Grants
Grants of $500 to $35,000 from private foundations, government programs, and private sector businesses have paid for:

• Large capital purchases, such as a tractor (Boeing Employees) and a heated greenhouse (Forest Foundation)
• Volunteer and Growing Partners program staff (Lassen Foundation and United Way of Thurston County)
• Wages for growers with disabilities and Growing Partners youth (Olympia Kiwanis and The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound)

Click here to see a complete list of recent grants received.

Cash Donations
Your cash contributions of any amount keep the trucks repaired, the lights on, paper in the printer, and bandaids in the first aid kit. Here are some of the other things your dollars can accomplish at Left Foot:

• $750 will pay the rent on our 5 acres of land for a season
• $275 a month will pay our fuel costs
• $165 a month will provide electricity for our building, walk-in cooler and irrigation
• $90 a month will keep the phone and Internet service on
• $60 will provide job support for a crew member with severe disabilities to participate in one day of productive work on the farm
• $10 will buy supplies for the crew to prepare a weekly meal together on the farm

In Kind Donations
We also depend on the generosity of many local businesses and individuals for donations of goods and services that our budget does not cover. Their 2009 gifts include:

• Propane for the greenhouse heater, from AmeriGas and C&D Propane
• Crushed rock for the wash station and driveway, from Great Western Supply
• Truck repairs, from Capital Fleet Maintenance and Barlow's Auto
• A new roof on the chicken coop, from American Patio Covers
• A rebuilt rototiller, from Mike Banks
• Organic beer for the fall Farm Formal fundraiser, from Fish Brewing Co.
• Equipment repairs, from Hugh Zars and ZarsWerks

All these contributions are investments in greater self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion for people in our community who just need a little of our support to be successful. Here are some ways an investment in Left Foot pays off:

• People with disabilities earn income, pay taxes, and contribute to a vibrant local economy.
• Rural, "at-risk" youth gain the skills, self-confidence, and desire to better themselves and their community.
• Community members find a sense of purpose by helping others.
• Children learn where their food comes from and discover that they like their vegetables!
• A healthier environment yields abundant fresh produce for local markets, food banks, and meals programs for those who really need them.
• Our community becomes a place where difference does not mean exclusion, where everyone contributes, benefits, and belongs.
• Left Foot becomes a model program that other communities can emulate.

Thank you!  

All donations to Left Foot Organics are tax deductible. Left Foot is a non-profit corporation with Federal 501(c)3 tax exempt status (EIN#91-2167831).

When you make a donation, please select one of the unique thank you gifts shown below as a token of our appreciation.

The Left Foot Cookbook. A collection of over 100 great recipes assembled by volunteers from our CSA and other friends and supporters, using most of the crops grown on the farm. Cookbooks are available for a donation of $6.50 each, or $5.00 each for three or more copies.

The Left Foot Tote bag. These bags are fair traded, made of recycled cotton and printed locally by an environmentally friendly ink process. Tote bags are available for a donation of $12. Get a tote bag and cookbook for only $17.50 total.

The Left Foot t-shirt. The Left Foot story, mission and values all in a reflexology chart. These shirts are made of organic cotton and printed locally. Show your support by wearing a Left Foot shirt! Available for a donation of $25. When ordering, please tell us your size (available in S,M,L,XL).

Renewing the Countryside: Washington. Left Foot is honored to be among the 43 farms, ranches, and other rural sustainability projects profiled in this beautiful picture book. U.S. Senator Patty Murray says of Renewing the Countryside: "This book tells an inspiring story of local people coming together to save the natural treasures of rural Washington. It celebrates unique places and innovative partnerships and shows we all have a role to play in preserving the best of our state."

You can donate on-line! All transactions are secure, through PayPal's service. Click on the "Donate" button from anywhere on our website. After entering the dollar amount and other required information, add a note in the comment section telling us which thank you gift you'd like to receive. Be sure to include a shipping address if it's different from your credit card billing address. PayPal adds a small percentage surcharge on your donation.

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thanks very much for your support!

• Our CFD number is: #315757

• BCS rototiller
• knife sharpener
• large garden cart
• hammers and nails
• sign paints
• kitchen utensils, cookware
• kitchen cabinets
• sturdy folding tables
• plastic lawn chairs
• 2 x 4s and other lumber at least 6 ft. in length

Left Foot Organics PO Box 12772 Olympia, WA 98508

360-754-1849 info@leftfootorganics.org