Previously, I’ve written about common questions I hear from Co-op members. “Where will the Co-op be?” being the most asked. Another common question, though, shows just how excited the community is about this project.
And the community is excited. Did you know that the City of Cedar Falls has a new strategic plan? The plan, “Future Forward Cedar Falls 2025” outlines 15 goals for the next 8 years; #5 is: “A sustainable local foods co-op within Cedar Falls.” More community excitement? Yes: 48 businesses in Cedar Falls and Waterloo (and beyond!) have pledged their support by offering discounts and specials to the 535+ folks who have stepped up to investing in their community by becoming a member of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op.
By the way, speaking of local businesses who have stepped up—a big shout out to Miss Wonderful for their support in recent months, including hosting a “15 in 15” campaign to raise membership for the Co-op through May 4. They’re offering great discounts for new members, so please stop by and check them out by then.
Yes, the location is the most common question. (The location, of which, is still undetermined, but will be in or near downtown Cedar Falls.) The other common question is this: “How can I help?”
And helped they have. Just how much? In the first three months of this year, Co-op volunteers collectively contributed 795 hours of support. Committee members and volunteers served on a committee (sometimes 2!), designed business cards, balanced the checkbook, maintained the website, continued the site selection planning, maintained a vendor contact list, hosted a house party, sold T-shirts, stuffed envelopes, attended a conference, researched Stage 3 development models, made food for events, and on and on. Using new figures released by IndependentSector.org, that amounts to over $19,000 in value. Way to go!
There’s more work ahead of us, and the more who step up to help, the closer we reach our goal of opening a full-service grocery store that serves our community and is owned by our community.
So if you’re looking for non-committee ways to help, here are…
16 UNIQUE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE CO-OP
16. Be a yard sign distributor
15. Create a video
14. Meet fun people during a shift at a farmers market booth
13. Set up an e-store on our website for T-shirt sales
12. Wear a Co-op T-shirt
11. Write a story about the area’s first food co-op: Cotton Top
10. Write a press release
9. Donate a desktop printer
8. Distribute tote bags to members
7. Research grant opportunities
6. Develop and/or maintain a contacts database
5. Host a house party
4. Help us locate an office to host meetings
3. Display a window cling in your store or car
2. Share, comment on, and “like” our posts
1. Encourage one friend to join