This Moment
Look outside, look online…our city is, in some ways, less recognizable than just weeks ago. Many in our community are living in fear with lives disrupted. Children’s schooling has been canceled or shifted online, families are trapped at home, businesses are struggling, and some of our neighbors are missing.
And still, we are resilient. With increased adversity, we’ve seen our people come together stronger by the day and in the utmost inspiring ways. From our vantage point on Central Ave, we’ve seen the personal connections grow. We’ve seen collective effort thrive as we all work to fulfill needs, lift people up, and make our presence and pride in our community known.
Despite all that has been dark, difficult, and distracting, we have affirmed our resolve.
It is our love for one another, for our home community, that is guiding us in this moment. At Eastside, we are committed to supporting our staff, our owners, and the Northeast community at large in all the ways we’re able. Many of these efforts are subtle, internal, and specific to the calm and safe operations of a grocery store. Others are more external, like our joint financial commitment to The Advocates for Human Rights announced this week with some of our local co-op peers. Still, we feel there’s more to do and give.
Step 1! Today, we are donating $5,000 to Monarca, a local non-profit helping people protect their rights where it matters most- in our communities. If you feel passionate about supporting their work, we urge you to donate as well.
Step 2! Every January, we host an Eastside Owner Drive to spread the power of Cooperatives and bolster the financial strength of Eastside. This year, we will donate $50 (half the cost of a lifetime Eastside ownership) for every new owner in January, directed to MIRAC.
Step 3! Feed the kids! Eastside is partnering with neighborhood schools to provide relief through direct food donations. We’ll be working directly with schools who have been impacted by the current federal presence.
We hope that our actions will inspire others who can help, to do so. This moment requires us all to participate to ensure the future of our vibrant community.
In cooperation,
Eastside Food Co-op