CDF Disaster Fund helps Sioux Falls Co-op Recover after Fire

WASHINGTON, DC (March 12, 2014) – The Cooperative Development Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a disaster grant of $5,000 to help The Co-op Natural Foods, Sioux Falls, SD, recover from fire damage.

On January 19, The Co-op Natural Foods was devastated by a fire resulting from a suspected burglary and arson. Though no one was injured, only the shell of the building remained standing.  The loss of the co-op struck a blow to the community as well as the co-op’s 2,500 members, 18 employees, and 40 local producers who supply the store. The grant will be used for expenses not covered by insurance to get the Co-op operating in a new location.

“We lost everything to a fire on January 19th— the food, the computers, the refrigeration, everything.” said Molly Langley, general manager. “I have no special wisdom about how to cope with such a devastating loss. I will say this:  being part of the co-op community made these last six weeks survivable…. Every single day has brought challenges; but I always knew there was someone in the co-op community who had a suggestion, a hopeful perspective, and an empathetic ear.”

CDF’s Co-op Disaster Recovery Fund aids cooperatives and members impacted by disasters and promotes co-op enterprise in recovering areas.  Contributions to the fund come from cooperative members and organizations across the United States.

The Cooperative Development Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation headquartered in Washington, DC.  CDF’s mission is to promote community, economic and social development through cooperative enterprises.  (www.cdf.coop).