Shop while supporting United Way

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Think supporting local non-profits is just asking too much during the holiday shopping season?

A pair of philanthropic programs through Amazon and Kroger are making it possible for supporters to shoppers to take care of their own needs while also helping fill the larger needs of the community.

Through the AmazonSmile program, registered Amazon users can have their purchases support the United Way of Putnam County.

Rather than going to Amazon and logging on in the conventional way, visit smile.amazon.com, where, upon login, you will be prompted to pick a charitable organization. At this point, either enter the code 335-6074100 or search "United Way of Putnam County," to select the proper organization.

Before making the selection, verify that it selects "United Way of Putnam County (Indiana)."

At this point, any purchases made while logged on at smile.amazon.com (but not the traditional Amazon site) will donate 0.5 percent of eligible purchase prices to the local United Way.

"It's just a way to support us without having to give out of your own budget," United Way Executive Director Jennifer Edwards said.

Likewise, the Kroger Community Rewards program allows Kroger Plus customers to give to the United Way of Putnam County while shopping at Kroger.

Visit kroger.com/communityrewards and either sign in to your account or create one using your Kroger Plus card. To select United Way of Putnam County as the recipient organization, enter 61771.

With the organization selected, Kroger will donate a portion of the purchase price to the local United Way.

The two programs are simply another way for residents to support the United Way of Putnam County and its 14 community partner agencies.

The organization is also partway through its annual campaign, currently working the employee campaigns with some of the larger corporations in the community.

The United Way of Putnam County is also this week finalizing a move back to downtown Greencastle.

Having formerly been housed at the Partnership Center on the Courthouse Square, the office was at 1285 S. Jackson St. for the last 17 months.

However, Edwards has spent several days recently moving the office back downtown, as the United Way has found a new home at 24-1/2 W. Washington St., Suite 208, which is above Family Support Services.

Edwards said she is happy to have the office back downtown with the revitalization that has gone on in the area in recent years.

"With what they've been doing downtown, we're happy to get back on the square," Edwards said. "A lot of our partners are downtown, so they're within walking distance. Just to be close for downtown events like First Friday and downtown trick-or-treating is nice."

Edwards expressed her appreciation to building owner Trudy Selvia for her support in leasing the new space.

For more information on the United Way of Putnam County, call 653-5638 or email jennifer@unitedwayofputnamcounty.org.

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