Nestlé thrives when it’s able to enter communities under the cover of darkness, something we’ve seen time and again. But with your help, The Story of Stuff Project is shifting this balance of power by bringing to light the stories of heroic citizens who are taking on Nestle around the world.

Grassroots activists have energy, time and passion, but they need our support too. The Story of Stuff Community is stepping up in small towns around the country and world to help them fight the good fight.

On March 22nd, we’ll be releasing our latest movie, a short documentary that tells the story of a particularly inspiring group of people fighting a Nestlé water grab in Cascade Locks, Oregon. They come from a variety of backgrounds, and none are professional activists, but they share a common desire to protect their home and identity in Oregon’s gorgeous Columbia River Gorge. They are fighting to preserve their water for local farmers, orchardists, families, and salmon. 

Soon we’ll be getting to work on our next video, the third in a series about Nestlé site fights.

We’ll also be connecting interested Story of Stuff Community members with on-the-ground, local-led efforts to turn back Nestlé proposals around the country. We’ll be putting pressure on retailers that sell Nestle bottled water brands. We’ll be keeping up the fight in federal court in southern California and we’ll be boosting the most inspirational community campaigns through our expansive social media channels.

The movement happening in Oregon will have ramifications around the world. If the citizens of Hood River County succeed in passing their ballot initiative, it will set a precedent for public water protection that can be expanded across the state, to other states, and perhaps even to entire countries.

Keeping stories like these in the public eye sends a clear message to Nestlé that water is a resource to be cherished and protected, NOT a commodity to be bottled and sold around the world for corporate gain.