Community Group Giving Away $25 Farmers’ Market Gift Certificates to Those in Need

It’s On Us Corvallis and the Corvallis Farmers’ Market are collaborating to distribute funds to people in need to use at the Corvallis Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, June 21, and Saturday, June 24. Organizers say participating households will each receive $25 in printed paper currency, which can be used to purchase any farmers’ market item. 

A total of $20,000 in Farmers’ Market currency will be distributed during these two events. Funds for this collaborative effort are being provided by Benton County through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). 

How to Get the Currency: Community members in need who would like to pick up their $25 gift can visit the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition table that will be located under the Farmers’ Market tent on both dates. 

The paper currency will have no expiration date, enabling participants to pick up $25 of market currency at one of the two markets this week, and then spend it later. 

What Motivates the Giveaway: It’s On Us (IOU) is a project of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Food Action Team. IOU provides gift cards to connect people in need of a meal with locally owned restaurants, local food businesses, and local farmers. The goal: building community through the act of giving and receiving gifts. This latest effort is part of that work. 

As Aliza Tuttle, co-leader of the Food Action Team, said, “Most people who participate in IOU both receive gift cards and give when they can, continuing the spirit of pay it forward when you are able, however you are able.” 

IOU Corvallis is funded through a combination of donations from individual community members, contributions from community groups, and grants. 

For more information about IOU Corvallis, visit itsonuscorvallis.org. To view a list of Corvallis Farmers’ Market vendors, go to LocallyGrown.org/vendors. 

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