Small grants go a long way in the community, and Premier Mushroom (Farmers’ Fresh) stands behind the tradition started by the company’s predecessors more than 20 years ago.
Colusa County Library Literacy Program, Maxwell Park and Recreation District Auxiliary, Williams Jr/Sr High School Art Club, Pacific Flyway Quilters, Studio ABC, Eleanor Azevedo Youth Empowerment Services (YES), Arbuckle Volunteer Firefighters Association, Colusa Dreams & Wishes, and The Stagehands each received awards of $200-$250 for the 2022 gant cycle.
Premier Mushrooms has provided small community grants since 2010 to help local nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions.
Each year, the local company donates mushrooms to be sold at the Colusa Farmers Market, which is hosted by the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evenings during the summer at Veterans Memorial Park in Colusa.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds go to this grant program,” said Chamber Manager Jennifer Diaz. “We also have the Farm-to-Fork Dinner, and a lot of those proceeds go to this program.”
Representatives from the organizations accepted their awards at the annual grant breakfast on March 1 at Market Street Grill, hosted by Farmers’ Fresh Manager Laura Deniz, who listened as representatives of the organizations explained how the grants are a perfect fit for serving others in the community.
Emma Thompson, of Pacific Flyway Quilters, said the grant is enough to help pay for batting material to help finish quilts that will be donated to various organizations.
“Quilters use their own fabric and scraps to make their quilts,” Thompson said. “This grant is enough to purchase the batting and backing to finish three quilts.”
The grant for the library will go toward purchasing books for the Book to Movie Club for teenagers.
Williams Jr./Sr. High School Art teacher Sally Heddy said the grant helps with the purchase of supplies for the Art Club. MPR Auxiliary vice-chair Tish Nerli accepted the Premiere Mushroom grant for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, which covers the cost of the plastic eggs and some of the prizes.
Tim Robinson, Arbuckle Assistant Fire Chief, said he will purchase supplies for the department’s annual Fire Prevention Week.
Nicole Helms, of Dreams & Wishes said the grant will go toward sending adults with special needs to camp.
“I love hearing all the stories,” Deniz said. “It really touches my heart.”
Deniz and Diaz encouraged the public to continue to attend the Farmers Market and purchase the mushrooms, which cannot be purchased any fresher because they are picked at Premier Mushrooms that day.
Since the grant program started, Premier Mushrooms have awarded more than $30,000 in small community grants to nonprofits, including many who apply and receive the grants each year for community projects.
All Colusa County nonprofits are eligible to apply for the grant by Dec. 31 of each year.
Ben Felt, treasurer of the Community Foundation of Colusa County, also attended the awards breakfast.
The Community Foundation is the umbrella organization for many local nonprofit groups and also serves as the umbrella organization for the grant program. ■