Beach Grass Roots

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the Lower Columbia Q Center, a nonprofit resource center providing outreach, education and charity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies of the Lower Columbia Region of Oregon and Washington. The LCQC is the June 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks shoppers to round up their purchase total as a donation for a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode, we talk with South Pacific County Humane Society, which provides a no-kill shelter for animals and pays for medical supplies and costs. This organization is the beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. astoria.coop/change-for-community

In this episode, we talk with Columbia Land Trust, with the mission to conserve and care for the vital lands, waters and wildlife of the Columbia River region through sound science and strong relationships. Columbia Land Trust is the April 2026 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month.

In this episode, we talk with Consejo Hispano, a local nonprofit that provides a wide range of culturally specific services that strengthen Latinx individuals and families in our region. Its programs include financial education, scholarships, women’s empowerment groups, children’s programs and other resources to address the evolving needs of the community. Consejo Hispano is the March 2026 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Learn more at astoria.coop/change-for-community

In this episode, we talk with AWE Astoria, a nonprofit that connects children and young adults with creative changemakers while supporting art, wellness and ecology experts in the community. AWE Astoria is the February 2026 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. https://astoria.coop/change-for-community/

In this episode, we talk with Peninsula Poverty Response, a local nonprofit with the mission to reduce the impacts of poverty on the Long Beach Peninsula. They provide necessities for people who are low income or unsheltered, including gas, laundry, propane, and Discovery Passes for access to showers. They also provide resource navigation as well as tents, sleeping bags, cooking stoves, warm clothing and other essential items. Peninsula Poverty Response is the January beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. https://astoria.coop/change-for-community/

In this episode, we talk with KMUN, this local nonprofit radio station. It serves everyone in the region with commercial-free community radio programs and services that enrich life by illuminating the role of arts, promoting cultural and educational growth and bringing a focus to current issues of local and regional public interest.  KMUN is the December 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. https://astoria.coop/change-for-community/

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with Clatsop Community Action, a local nonprofit agency specializing in food, housing, energy assistance and veterans services. The CCA Regional Food Bank seeks to eliminate hunger in Clatsop County by providing emergency food to families and individuals suffering from hunger or hunger insecurity. CCA Regional Food Bank is the October beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with Astoria International Film Festival. Through the local nonprofit World Arts Foundation, this film festival is celebrating its 18th year of showing independent films from the northwest and around the world. This year, the Columbian Theater will host the film festival Sept. 26 and 27. Astoria International Film Festival is the September 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round up their purchase total in support of a different local nonprofit every month. Find out more about Change for Community at astoria.coop/change-for-community.

“In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with Astoria Visual Arts, a nonprofit with the mission to create opportunities for all ages and walks of life to engage with the arts. Astoria Visual Arts is the August 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.”

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with Sea Turtles Forever, a nonprofit with the mission to protect and restore healthy environments. Their Blue Wave Project uses filtration screens to remove Microplastic Debris from Oregon Coast beaches. Sea Turtles Forever is the July 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the Lower Columbia Q Center, a nonprofit resource center providing outreach, education and charity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies of the Lower Columbia Region of Oregon and Washington. The LCQC is the June 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the Astoria Sunday Market Kids Club, an organization that provides activities to educate and encourage children to take part in the local food system and understand the benefits of eating nutritious foods. The ASM Kids Club is the May 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the Astoria Community Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships and other support for youth sports and swimming lessons in the Astoria area. The Harbor is the March 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this bonus episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with members of the Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific, an organization that works to support youth throughout Clatsop County and the surrounding communities. This episode was produced outside of our regular collaboration with the Astoria Co+op’s Change for Community program. We will return to our regular schedule and lineup in the next episode, Thursday April 10th.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with staff from The Harbor, an organization providing support to survivors of domestic violence in and around the Clatsop County area. The Harbor is the March 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with members of the Writers Guild. Voices in this program: Marianne Monson Asher Finch Deb Vanasse Elisa Carlsen The Writers Guild is the February 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with members of the North Coast Paddling Club, a nonprofit dragon boat team founded in Astoria in 2024. Voices in this program: Co-founder Sheila Roley Paddler Carolyn Wells Co-founder Sande Brown The North Coast Paddling Club is the January 2025 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more about Change for Community here.

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the staff and board of the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center, an organization providing childcare, afterschool programs, youth sports, and more to families on the south Washington coast. Voices in this episode: Co-founder & Board President Casey Wood Harrell Executive Director Claire Bruncke Director of Youth Programs Kylie Cunningham Family Support Specialist Gwen Sansone The community center is the December 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each month. Find out more...

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the staff and board of the Necanicum Watershed Council, an organization the protects and restores their watershed through restoration projects, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships. Voices in this program: Executive Director (emeritus) Noah Dolinajec Board Chair Rachel Cushman Tribal Lands & Waters Steward Hugh Ahnatook Board Member Jenny Pool Radway Stewardship & Restoration Director Djennyfer de Melo Ferreira The Necanicum Watershed Council is the November 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit...

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we talk with the staff and board of Oregon Agricultural Trust, an organization working to protect agricultural lands throughout the state by working with farmers and ranchers to establish succession plans and manage land use rights. Voices in this program: Executive Director Nellie McAdams Dir. of Ag. Business Support Andrea Krahmer Land Program Associate Tara Olson Farmer & Board Member Teresa Retzlaff Oregon Agricultural Trust is the October 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit...

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we hear from some of the folks who coordinate the Clatsop Community College Foundation‘s Bandit Food Pantry, a program that provides free food, hygiene products, and more to the staff and students of CCC. Benefits Navigator Kathy Bode, Pantry Coordinator Josaphine De La Vega, and CCC Foundation Chair Jamey Hendricks explain how the Pantry works, and how the community can support both Pantry and the Foundation as a whole. The Bandit Food Pantry is the September 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total...

In this episode of Beach Grass Roots, we hear from some of the staff at Oregon Black Pioneers: Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. Public Programs and Exhibits Manager Mariah Rocker and Executive Director Zachary Stocks talk about the work Oregon Black Pioneers has been doing in recent years, and how to access their long list of educational resources. Oregon Black Pioneers is the August 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program, which asks customers to round-up their total as a donation to a different local nonprofit each...

The first ever episode of Beach Grass Roots features the Ten Fifteen Theater: a small, local, nonprofit, community theater located at 1015 Commercial Street in downtown Astoria, Oregon. Hear from actors, stage and sound crew, and staff about what the theater brings to our community, how you can support their work, and how to get involved in future productions. The Ten Fifteen Theater is the July 2024 beneficiary of the Astoria Co-op’s Change for Community program. Find out more about Change for Community here.