To our Cincy Co-op Community,
The COVID- 19 outbreak is proving to be a huge economic and social challenge for our community, so it’s helpful to remember that our vision for building a network of worker owned businesses, was created 60+ years ago under the economic, social stress and aftermath of the Spanish Civil War.
It is in times of crisis like this, that you truly realize the power of solidarity. Solidarity is living from an awareness that our lives and futures are all tied together. We all do better when we all do better. So, we want to share with you a few ways, as part of this community, we are all helping to support one another and ways you can support each other to ensure our community is made stronger by this crisis.
Solidarity in Action
Ensuring Access to Healthy, Local Food
Our Harvest is putting a plan together to be able to offer drive thru pick up veggies at the Bahr Farm and Incubator Kitchen Collective.
Our Harvest and their customers are also stepping up donations of healthy produce to CAIN’s Rainbow Pantry which is seeing higher demand in these coronavirus days.
Supporting One Another
Last weekend, the team at Sustainergy, our energy efficiency and renewable energy co-op, came together for a full workday to help another co-op team in need.
Multiple Co-ops and members of the co-op community are pitching in to help raise money for a Sustainergy worker who had a serious accident while working with kids.
In a time when child care can be extremely difficult, CareShare, our child care co-op is exploring ways it can help facilitate Childcare swaps - Please like their Facebook page to be kept up-to-date with the latest information.
Cincy Cleaning Co-op is offering deep cleaning services for households to help alleviate that burden for families occupied with other issues during this crisis.
Easing Economic Dislocation
Seed Commons Financial Cooperative, of which Co-op Cincy is a member, has launched a GoFundMe page, Seed Commons Worker Response Fund, with a goal of helping co-op workers who can’t work due to coronavirus have the economic resources to weather the storm.
There are also emergency low interest loans available through Shared Capital Cooperative for more info contact info@sharedcapital.coop.
Helpful Resources
Free internet access for 60 days to households with K-12 and college students. See details here. How utility, phone, and internet companies are giving consumers a break
Evictions are suspended in Hamilton County for next 30 days
Duke Energy and Cincinnati Water works are suspending all disconnections and shut-offs for the time being
Unemployment is available to those being quarantined without any waiting period or those in bars and restaurants. Click Click Here to Apply
Click here for a full list of Community Resources during COVID-19 including Mental Health resources, educational resources, info about food distribution.
Some Inspiration and some fun
Everyday Actions We Can All Take to Help
Minimize Risk: Minimize your risk and the risk to those who are most vulnerable.
Take Care of Each Other: Look for ways you can help neighbors, co-workers, other members of the community who may have greater challenges than you at this time. Some opportunities include:
Joining Mutual Aid SW Ohio facebook group
If you need help or can give help, you can fill out the Mutual Aid Cincy SW Ohio form
Many neighborhoods have Facebook or Nextdoor groups where neighbors are asking/offering support
Walk around the block and check in on neighbors. Consider leaving a note!
Support co-op workers who are laid-off. Consider contributing to the Seed Commons Worker Response Fund
Support Local: Continue to support local businesses to ensure they survive and ensure your dollars stay in our community. Yummy Take-out! And gift cards are great.
Take Care of your Self! Stay hydrated. Eat well. Sleep. Connect
Vitality has a virtual daily sitting meditation at 12:15pm Connect with the Facebook Group!
Stay tuned for opportunities to take action in support of policies that can help mitigate this crisis and improve wellbeing. Policy Matters Ohio lays out ways to improve unemployment insurance. Center for Community Solutions identifies a fairly comprehensive list of coronavirus policy changes that could help Ohio Health and Human services be as effective as possible.
As the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak unfolds, we will continue to look for ways to help protect the health and safety of our co-op members, volunteers, and our community. The unique nature of this challenge offers us a special time to recognize that resiliency and sustainability are two of the most important reasons we’ve chosen to structure our businesses on this model.
May the solidarity you’ve nurtured in your community support you and your family.
The Co-op Cincy Team
