The Butte Food Co-op – Seed Fund

The close of the Hennessy Market in Uptown Butte was a blow to many of us in this community.A committee of residents has formed to explore opening a community-owned cooperative in the Hennessy Market location. Community support is essential to get this Co-op off the ground and the early enthusiasm has been outstanding. More than 250 people showed up at the initial organizing meeting, and at the time of this letter more than 700 people have completed our survey. In order to build on this momentum, this committee is asking for your financial support.

While Uptown Butte has many great, independently owned, small food stores, our group feels the need to complement these excellent markets with a full-service, community-owned Cooperative at the location of the former Hennessy Market. The Co-op will focus on providing a complete array of grocery products alongside specialty local, organic meats, cheeses, and produce. This mix of offerings will provide an affordable shopping option to folks who live and work on the hill as well as provide access to local and organic products not otherwise available in Butte.

The goal of this fundraising drive is two-fold: to raise money for the eventual opening of the store and to show grassroots support for the effort.The store will require a significant amount of money in order to open its doors… from joining a supplier group, purchasing inventory, signage and equipment, etc. Further, we must show future investors and lenders that the community is ready to support this Co-op.

It’s important to note that your contribution is merely a prospective donation. This fundraising effort is not a membership solicitation. This distinction is important, as Co-ops are community-owned, and if we move forward, the Co-op board will sell shares of stock or memberships. In other words, the eventual Co-op board will be asking for more of your money if we determine the store is feasible!

Your donation to this seed fund is essential to making this Co-op a reality.Plus, your donation may be tax deductible, as all checks should be made payable to the committee’s fiduciary, Headwaters RC&D, a qualified 501c3.If the organizing committee determines that the Co-op is ultimately not feasible, all net proceeds will be donated to local charities.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider this effort as a cause worth supporting.