PAY IT FORWARD REUSABLE BAG PROGRAM

The Choices Pay It Forward Reusable Bag Program

How Using Reusable Bags Will Help Support Local Charitable Organizations

Paper Shopping Bags. They seem pretty innocuous. After all paper is a renewable resource and can be recycled. The problem is that many people do not recycle them, and in reality they actually require plenty of water, fuel, and trees to produce them. In fact, if they end up in the waste stream, paper bags are so heavy and take up so much space that it requires many more trucks to dispose of them.

At Choices, it is our mission to reduce the number of paper bags that our customers use, and at the same time use the financial resources saved, to give back to our community. Pay It Forward is our plan to do so. 

Anybody who brings in a REUSABLE bag for their groceries  will receive a wooden token, representing 10 cents,  to put towards one of three organizations.  The non-profit organizations will rotate.  There will be less waste, since less paper bags are used, and we can also make a positive impact on our community. Each time you use a reusable bag, you will get another token.

Over time, it will add up! Let’s reduce waste and invest in organizations that help make Rockford a special place!

Local Organizations

Here are the three organizations that your wooden tokens can currently go toward They were chosen because of the positive impact they have on the people in our community and beyond. Here is your additional motivation to remember those reusable bags when you head out to Choices to shop.

Habitat for Humanity - Rockford

 “We believe that everyone deserves a safe, quality, affordable place to call home.”

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity partners with local individuals and families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through safe and affordable housing. Through shelter, we empower. Our vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Carpenter’s Place

Carpenter’s Place provides the tools necessary for rebuilding the lives of homeless adults. They offer direction with accountability to people with broken lives.  Program case management and accountability, combined with the determination and hard work of our homeless guests, completes the formula for success!   An average of 93 homeless guests come to Carpenter’s Place each day to work on rebuilding their lives. They have developed several programs to help effectively provide the tools they need.  These programs include the day room and meal plan, chapel, case management, support and education groups, employment training, mental health access, and housing assistance.

The United Way - Rock River Valley 

Every dream begins with a story.  United for Literacy.

At United Way of Rock River Valley, they believe reading is the key to opportunity, to breaking cycles of poverty, unemployment, and crime. That’s why they created United for Literacy, a community-wide initiative ensuring every young child has the tools to read, learn, and succeed. With your support, we can expand programs, reach more families. Together, we lift up the next generation of stronger families, thriving children, and a stronger community.

Previous Pay It Forward Organizations