Co-op network support for relief and rebuilding in NC

[Emmy]

Hi everyone, 

I’m writing to ask if your cooperative will join CDI in donating to supporting cooperatives in North Carolina who are not only supporting their own people, but acting as a major hub for food and supplies distribution and now rebuilding in the area around Asheville, which has been devastated by Hurricane Helene. As I’m sure you all are aware, over 230 people lost their lives and so many others lost homes, livelihoods, and places that are precious to them. Many were cut off because of road washouts, and some are still waiting for water and electricity to be restored.  

Poder Emma is a network of cooperatives in the Emma neighborhood of Asheville. It includes a real estate cooperative of 4 mobile home parks that are owned by the residents which has permanently secured affordable housing for 43 families, as well as two commercial buildings that house cooperative businesses and leased space for other small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community. Poder Emma has also incubated four different worker cooperative businesses including bookkeeping, childcare, language interpretation and translation, and property management and maintenance. When Helene hit, Poder Emma quickly pivoted to care of their wider community - they have distributed water, food, and other supplies to over 30,000 individuals in the small towns surrounding Asheville, many of which were completely cut off by road. They are now moving towards rebuilding efforts. To follow Poder Emma's disaster relief effort, you can follow them on facebook or find them on Instagram @poderemma.

As Poder Emma plays a critical role in the relief and rebuilding effort in their area, we want to support them through our network of cooperatives here. They are in need of financial donations in order to be able to continue providing critical and direct support. We know that as a cooperative network around the northeast, our reach is wide. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for them in the next week. Here are three ways you can support: 

1. As a cooperative, make a donation to Colaborativa La Milpa (the 501c3 of Poder Emma) in support of their relief efforts as a cooperative. 

2. Encourage your customers to donate and consider matching their donations as a company! 

3. Share the link and QR code with employees and members to donate and spread the word to friends and families. 

Here is the link to donate. 

Here is a QR code that can be printed or shared with customers or employees that will take them to the link to donate: 

They are also looking for people to come volunteer with them. Here is the link to their volunteer form. 

Please let me know if your cooperative is willing to fundraise with us so that we can track the power of this network! Thank you all so much. 

Emmy Andersson

Cooperative Maine Business Alliance Network Coordinator

eande...@cdi.coop, em...@maine.coop

Pronouns: She, Her, They

Cooperative Maine Business Alliance

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