As a community we are exercising our collective power to build a business that will benefit residents in multiple ways. It is crucial for us to confront the structures that limit the access to affordable, accountable, local, sustainable and dependable food in our neighborhoods. For too long we have been underserved with low chance of getting out of the conditions that exist within the systems that create food apartheid.
Becoming a member owner means you :
- Are investing in a business that has potential to support residents in areas of a system that poorly addresses the conditions of residents in Wards 7 and 8
- Have a voice and the ability to empower others through the creation of programs and development of the business
- Are joining a community where you can connect with others that have similar interests, passions and needs
- Are supporting the start up of a business that will be owned and operated by people who value the interests of residents of Wards 7 and 8
- investing in a higher chance of the grocery store to successfully thrive and be in the community for generations.
Member-Owners are the lifeline of the co-op. As part owners it’s our responsibility to create the establishment from the ground up. We make decisions as a whole democratically through voting and in committees through the process of integrative consent. The investment members put into the business are held for when the co-op is ready to financially take the next step toward building a brick and mortar grocery store.
Membership is a one time investment of $100 which lasts for a lifetime.
We understand not everyone has the means to make a $100 investment to financially support the efforts of development. To remove the financial barrier some residents may have we have adopted a system of allowing individuals to join through solidarity shares.
Our solidarity shares are supported by a solidarity pool supported by donations, sponsors or grants awarded. Anyone with the financial means can sponsor a neighbor, family or friend to be a Member-Owner of the co-op. We’ve put in place a sliding scale based on income. Any individual or organization may make a donation that will contribute to our solidarity pool. This is a great way for us as a community to support each other and growth of the co-op.
Payment we accept all forms of payment for membership shares. Any form of payment outside of card payments you may email us at communitygrocerycoop@gmail.com.
Supportive Volunteers
Help us behind the scenes to make sure every resident knows about the co-op and that they too can be part owner of a great asset to our community.
There are many parts and pieces that make up the entire functionality of the co-op. Members of the co-op volunteer their time and skills to create the structure and culture they’d like to see created as they work to make the grocery store a reality. From time to time the core team could use a help in hand. From helping to write grants to assisting with tabling at the next event your role as a non member volunteer will make a great contribution as we continue to make milestones toward our end goal. Not yet sure about being a member of the co-op? Be a non member volunteer! This is a great opportunity to experience what being a CGC Member-Owner is all about.
Donations
With us being in start up stage donations will help greatly with various costs that come with us doing outreach activities, operation costs and can go towards the membership of a resident who joins through our sliding scale process. Not ready to fully invest in the co-op, but still would like to help us reach our financial goals? We greatly appreciate any investment donations you are able to offer. All donations go toward the development of the co-op. Note that donations are not tax-deductible. Please include an additional $1.00 to your donation to accommodate for PayPal fees to maximize your donation to the co-op.