In 1986, Terry and Pat Brett opened an idyllic farm store on a dusty road in Chester County. Their venture grew to become Kimberton Whole Foods (KWF), with seven locations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, offering products from more than 200 local vendors.

While the multigenerational family business still takes pride in offering local and ethically sourced organic produce, meat and dairy products, shelf stable items, grab-and-go foods, eco-friendly household products and body care items, their mission to serve as a community market propels KWF’s successful give-back program, Rounding Up at The Register.

Rounding Up at The Register works by allowing customers to round up their totals to the nearest dollar when purchasing their groceries. KWF then matches all funds raised, doubling the total of their customers’ generous donations. The program is the brainchild of Ezra Brett, director of operations and facilities, who was inspired by a visit to a New England co-op that had a similar program.

Since launching Rounding Up at The Register in 2020, KWF has donated more than $1,500,000 to local nonprofits, including those ranging from pantries and shelters to libraries and fire companies. They also feature arts and culture organizations and those that share similar values, prioritizing sustainable agriculture, organic food systems and the environment. In 2024, the program has donated $279,484.98 as of July 2024.

“Our mission has always been to serve as a community market. It has been our longstanding belief that, in order to create meaningful, lasting success—in business and in life—you must first act and serve in your local community,” says Terry Brett, KWF co-founder and CEO. “Rounding Up at The Register is just another extension of our mission. The beauty of this program is seeing how our customers have embraced the opportunity to give back to their communities as well.”

Each of the seven Kimberton Whole Foods locations features a different nonprofit every month, with 84 organizations company-wide each year. The recipients of the program are chosen via feedback from customers, staff and community members.

GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, a community arts and resource hub, is the Wyomissing location’s August recipient of KWF’s “ripple effect” gift. Through the 2023 Rounding Up at The Register program, GoggleWorks received approximately $7,000 to use toward their programs.

Open since 2005 in the former Willson Products/Dalloz Safety plant, GoggleWorks offers more than 100 different arts classes geared toward all skill levels. The space includes art galleries, class and workshop space, art studios, event space and a retail component that sells works made by GoggleWorks artists.

The programs and classes at GoggleWorks are open to everyone, regardless of financial means. While there’s a focus on the visual aspects of art, GoggleWorks ultimately strives for positive change in the community. They serve approximately 250,000 people annually at the center via classes, workshops, exhibits and programs.

Jesse Futter, marketing director for GoggleWorks, says the gift proves crucial to their mission. “It is really important for us because we are a nonprofit, and a lot of the programming we offer is free. We have free after-school programs, free community events and free art openings.”

GoggleWorks also offers scholarships for most of their classes and partners with the city of Reading schools. “We want to offer as much as we can to make sure we’re making an impact in the community,” Futter says. “Kimberton has been an absolutely great company to work with. They care about the community, and they really highlight the voices around us.”

With like-minded missions, Kimberton Whole Food and GoggleWorks continue to grow resilient, vibrant communities. “I am elated that our customers, through their daily generosity, have helped us reach this incredible milestone. With just a few ‘round up’ pennies at a time, we've been able to send our united support to so many varied and deserving causes and groups. I am so very grateful for our thoughtful customers,” adds Pat Brett, KWF co-founder.