The Giving Movement to benefit from charity parking meter program; funds to be used for Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano   

ALLEN, Texas (December 9, 2008) – Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm has selected The Giving Movement as the local non-profit to receive holidays proceeds from the “Change for Charity” program. Watters Creek will present a check to The Giving Movement founder Cheryl Jackson in January.  

Funded by proceeds collected from Watters Creek streetside parking meters, Change for Charity is already making a difference in the community, having presented a check for nearly $4,000 in October to Allen Community Outreach, the program’s first recipient. 

The Giving Movement will utilize its Change for Charity proceeds to help stock Minnie’s Food Pantry in West Plano which helps thousands of families each year. To further assist the food pantry, Watters Creek will be collecting canned food donations on Saturday, Dec. 13, beginning at 10 a.m., as they welcome Santa and two real reindeer on the Village Green. Guests are encouraged to drop off canned items until 4 p.m. 

Established by a concerned group of business and community leaders, The Giving Movement (TGM) is a 501(c)(3) charity organization dedicated to promoting charitable giving and philanthropy in schools and in the community. TGM serves the needs of children and their families that rely on assistance for something as simple as their next meal.

The Giving Movement runs several projects to help the community: Minnie’s Food Pantry, The Giving Boutique retail store, Back to School Free supplies, Hospital Hospitality campaign, From Our Hearts to Your Table Thanksgiving dinner giveaway and the Generous Strangers holiday campaign. 

“The Giving Movement is proud to partner with Watters Creek and we especially appreciate the way they give back to the community,” said Cheryl ‘Action’ Jackson, founder and president of The Giving Movement. “We are honored to be the recipient of the Change for Charity program as it will definitely help Minnie's Food Pantry change lives, one person at a time! We look forward to a continued relationship with Watters Creek and their exceptional staff.”

Four local non-profits, each representing a three-month quarter, are selected each year as Change for Charity recipients, receiving a percentage of the funds collected from the non-governmental meters. Watters Creek also uses some of the funds to host community events such as free concerts, family and children’s activities, art festivals and seasonal events.  

Trademark initiated the same program in 2005 at its Market Street – The Woodlands development outside of Houston.  

Feeding the meters is not mandatory and no tickets will be written to those who do not comply, although shoppers with expired meters may find a good-natured reminder card explaining the program on their windshield.  

Non-profit charities interested in applying must meet certain eligibility requirements, which include:

• Completed application, which includes information that will clarify the type of non-profit, level of need, and efficiency of operation.
• The non-profit must be either local or a national organization with a local chapter that benefits Collin County.
• The non-profit should not exist solely for the completion of a special project.
• The non-profit must furnish proof of tax-exempt status. 

Local non-profits hoping to take part in the Change for Charity program can find an application form at www.watterscreek.com under Community. For more information on The Giving Movement, go to www.thegivingmovement.org.