Project Co-op Thrive
Donation protected
What a year it’s been!
Our Leverett Village Co-op has risen from the ashes. At a board meeting in early February, we learned the entire staff had been laid off and the manager and three board members resigned after recommending closing the store. Co-op members at a special meeting voted a resounding “No Way." With our new Board President Sam Black at the helm and the energy and vision of many Co-op supporters, there is a new vitality and optimism for our little treasure at the foot of Rattlesnake Gutter. Through fundraising, the use of volunteers to supplement the rehired staff, and cost reductions, we have kept the doors open, the lights on and the shelves stocked.
We have paid our small local vendors and are re-establishing their trust but we still have other debt. Just as we were finding our stride- BOOM!- global pandemic! The good news is that we have a welcoming local store that offers grocery staples, prepared foods, delicious baked goods, snacks, beer and wine - with rigorous safety protocols and no long lines or far travel.
We need your help to move forward into the future, to pay off debts and make needed improvements. With warm weather coming after a long cold spring we are happy to announce that we have raised funds for a freezer to hold ice cream and frozen foods. But we still desperately need a new dairy case and some infrastructure updates.
Even if you've already given, please dig a little deeper and if you've been thinking about making a donation, now is the perfect time. Feed our Co-op so our Co-op can feed you!
*****
Save Our Co-op! With your support we have raised $25,000! This is fantastic community solidarity. Our goal is to raise an additional $25,000 by December 1st and we need your help.
Quite simply, if we do not meet our funding goal within several weeks, we face having to unwind our Co-op.
The Leverett Village Co-op is an integral part of our rural community! It is where many of us gather in the mornings for coffee, a paper and conversation. For others, it is an essential outpost for groceries and last-minute dinner ingredients. Without the Co-op, many of us would face an hour round trip for even simple goods or a prepared meal.
The Co-op is a place for everyone! Owned by its members and serving the needs of the entire community, we are committed to working together to adapt and grow to better serve diverse needs. But we need to go over this hurdle.
What you can do today to help: we need to raise $25,000 by December 1st. If we reach our goal, we can seek additional funding to pay vendors, make necessary repairs and keep our business going.
Please give today!
Every dollar counts. Can you contribute $10, $50, $200, more? Without the Co-op, our lives will be more difficult and less connected.
Save the day! Donate now. Let’s show the world the true power of cooperatives and community.
Here is information required by GoFundMe:
Who you are and where you’re from
My name is Alex Phillips. I'm a member-owner of the Co-op, and I am doing everything I can to help it thrive!
Your relationship or contact to the parties you're raising funds for
See above. I consult with the Co-op board, general manager, other member-owners, and the community for guidance on the campaign.
How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)
The funds serve a dual purpose: 1) To demonstrate to lenders that we are a good investment because we have robust community support, and 2) To re-stock the shelves as soon as possible
Your withdrawal plan to get the funds from the campaign to the ultimate beneficiary/ies
Funds will go directly to a Co-op controlled account
Our Leverett Village Co-op has risen from the ashes. At a board meeting in early February, we learned the entire staff had been laid off and the manager and three board members resigned after recommending closing the store. Co-op members at a special meeting voted a resounding “No Way." With our new Board President Sam Black at the helm and the energy and vision of many Co-op supporters, there is a new vitality and optimism for our little treasure at the foot of Rattlesnake Gutter. Through fundraising, the use of volunteers to supplement the rehired staff, and cost reductions, we have kept the doors open, the lights on and the shelves stocked.
We have paid our small local vendors and are re-establishing their trust but we still have other debt. Just as we were finding our stride- BOOM!- global pandemic! The good news is that we have a welcoming local store that offers grocery staples, prepared foods, delicious baked goods, snacks, beer and wine - with rigorous safety protocols and no long lines or far travel.
We need your help to move forward into the future, to pay off debts and make needed improvements. With warm weather coming after a long cold spring we are happy to announce that we have raised funds for a freezer to hold ice cream and frozen foods. But we still desperately need a new dairy case and some infrastructure updates.
Even if you've already given, please dig a little deeper and if you've been thinking about making a donation, now is the perfect time. Feed our Co-op so our Co-op can feed you!
*****
Save Our Co-op! With your support we have raised $25,000! This is fantastic community solidarity. Our goal is to raise an additional $25,000 by December 1st and we need your help.
Quite simply, if we do not meet our funding goal within several weeks, we face having to unwind our Co-op.
The Leverett Village Co-op is an integral part of our rural community! It is where many of us gather in the mornings for coffee, a paper and conversation. For others, it is an essential outpost for groceries and last-minute dinner ingredients. Without the Co-op, many of us would face an hour round trip for even simple goods or a prepared meal.
The Co-op is a place for everyone! Owned by its members and serving the needs of the entire community, we are committed to working together to adapt and grow to better serve diverse needs. But we need to go over this hurdle.
What you can do today to help: we need to raise $25,000 by December 1st. If we reach our goal, we can seek additional funding to pay vendors, make necessary repairs and keep our business going.
Please give today!
Every dollar counts. Can you contribute $10, $50, $200, more? Without the Co-op, our lives will be more difficult and less connected.
Save the day! Donate now. Let’s show the world the true power of cooperatives and community.
Here is information required by GoFundMe:
Who you are and where you’re from
My name is Alex Phillips. I'm a member-owner of the Co-op, and I am doing everything I can to help it thrive!
Your relationship or contact to the parties you're raising funds for
See above. I consult with the Co-op board, general manager, other member-owners, and the community for guidance on the campaign.
How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)
The funds serve a dual purpose: 1) To demonstrate to lenders that we are a good investment because we have robust community support, and 2) To re-stock the shelves as soon as possible
Your withdrawal plan to get the funds from the campaign to the ultimate beneficiary/ies
Funds will go directly to a Co-op controlled account
Fundraising team: Leverett Village Co-op (2)
Alexander Phillips
Organizer
Shutesbury, MA
Leverett Village Coop
Beneficiary
Karen Traub
Team member
