Asheville Grown Business Alliance
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Grown Business Alliance (AGBA) and the Asheville City Schools Foundation (ACSF) are uniting to support public schools and local independent businesses through the Go Local Card program.
We are replacing the School Checks fundraiser (discount checkbook filled with fast food chains & corporations) with the Go Local Card. This will be instituted in Asheville City Schools with over 4,000 kids & their families participating!
The Go Local Card will be good for discounts or special treats at only local and independent establishments. Our goal is to broaden the clientele base, create a partnership between our public schools and our local economy, revamp corporate-funded, fast-food promotion in our schools & educate our kids about the importance of a thriving local economy & community.
ACSF Co-Director Leah Ferguson notes, “We are excited to have a partner like the Asheville Grown Business Alliance. Their great vision has brought Asheville forward and is a model for the nation of participatory change. In this partnership we hope to fix a new way of looking at public school- business relationships. Funds from the cards will help to develop more vibrant and excellent public schools and all of the money stays in our community. There is no better win-win situation I can imagine.”
The Go Local card, which will be rolled out February 1, 2012, will cost $15 and gives the bearer access to special offers at locally-owned independent businesses in Asheville for one year. For every card sold, $10 will stay in Asheville City Schools and the ACS Foundation, providing educational equity grants and resources to classrooms and teachers. Pre-sales of the card start now!
What better way to ring in the holidays? Purchase a gift that keeps giving all year around while strengthening the fabric of our community.
For more info visit Ashville Grown on Facebook or at www.ashevillegrown.com.