Tops Totes for Change Raises More Than $114,000 For Local Non-Profits

During the course of just 10 months, Tops Friendly Markets and the community at large has helped make a remarkable impact on local non-profits and the environment, simply by purchasing a reusable shopping bag. Launched in September 2019, Tops Totes for Change encourages shoppers to purchase a reusable bag with a special charity design for just $1.99 with $1 of the proceeds being donated back to four local community organization.

Since January 2020 alone, Tops Totes for Change has raised more than $114,607 for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), United Way, Feeding America and Children’s Miracle Network. Within those organizations the funds are benefitting area local chapters including Children’s Hospitals and area Food Banks. Since the inception of Tops Totes for Change this brings the donation to these charitable organizations to more than $143,000.

“What we love about the Tops Totes for Change JDRF bag is that the proceeds not only help fund our amazing research, but they also help to save our environment. Our children benefit twofold; helping to find a cure for T1D and helping to provide a better world for them to grow up in. We are so grateful to have Tops Friendly Markets as our JDRF Platinum Partner for a Cure,” said Karen Swierski, Executive Director, JDRF WNY Chapter.

Tops recently reinstated the use of reusable bags in its New York stores and the state of Vermont began enforcing its plastic bag ban on July 1, 2020. As a result Tops is seeing another escalation of sales of the Tops Totes for Change bags, noted Kathy Sautter, Public and Media Relations Manager for Tops Friendly Markets.