While a nickel may seem like a small amount of money, a lot of them can make a big difference. Last month, Metropolitan Market customers donated 480,000 nickels, totaling $24,000, to Ballard's Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.

Customers bringing in a reusable bag on their shopping trip to their local Metropolitan Market are offered a five cent rebate toward their bill or an option to donate it to a local charity. From August 2009 to December 2010, thousands of customers opted to put their nickel toward a local charity.

The Puget Soundkeeper Alliance was chosen as the recipient for customer donations because of its work to preserve the Puget Sound. By patrolling the waterways and acting as the eyes and ears of the public, the organization aims to reduce the pollution of Puget Sound, making offenders accountable to the law while promoting education and cooperation.

“We thank our customers for their generosity,” said Brad Halverson, Metropolitan Market’s vice president of marketing. “We want to support an organization that helps keep Puget Sound healthy and preserves the quality of the Northwest seafood that comes to our store.”

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance Executive Director Chris Wilke has big plans with the generous contribution.

“Puget Soundkeeper Alliance is thrilled to have this substantial support from Metropolitan Market customers,” said Wilke. “Puget Sound is a national treasure worth protecting, and water quality is absolutely essential to a healthy Sound. This support will help us protect water quality through active monitoring, pollution response, citizen advocacy and volunteer involvement.”

To learn more about Ougest Soundkeeper Allaince, visit www.pugetsoundkeeper.org.