green|spaces is participating in A Community Thrives Challenge. More than 40 nonprofits are competing to be eligible for a range of prizes from $25,000 to $100,000.
A Community Thrives empowers communities by investing in education, arts and culture, or wellness-related organizations. They give national exposure to local issues by tapping into the power of the USA TODAY NETWORK. green|spaces is hoping to raise money from local donors in order to receive A Community Thrives grant.
In the spirit of Earth Day, green|spaces is running a challenge to encourage individuals to donate or raise funds to support green|spaces programs like Empower Chattanooga – an education based program that teaches low income residents low and no cost ways to save money on their utility bills. Over the past three years, green|spaces had educated more than 1,000 residents, with an average attendee saving 10% - 40% on their utility bills.
“Extra disposable income can go a long way. It can help a family buy food, medication and transportation. We are equipping families to be more stable year after year,” said Michael Walton, executive director at green|spaces.
The person who raises the most funds by the end of the day on Monday will win an Eco-Food Tour across Chattanooga’s Southside. Participating restaurants include the Flying Squirrel, Alleia, Feed & Niedlov’s bakery.
"We're a local small business and we love supporting other local small businesses,” said Max Poppel with the Flying Squirrel. “We're fortunate that there's a large number of farms around us that are making all kinds of high quality food, so we don't have to sacrifice quality to satisfy our craving for local. Some of our current local menu items include local shiitake mushrooms, farm eggs, and Sequatchie Cove Copping cheese.”
To be eligible to win, participants must enter through the green|spaces Crowdrise page and set up a team page: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/earth-day-challenge