September 5th, 2017
Written by Mary Byrne
The Cooperative Development Foundation is raising funds to assist cooperative businesses damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
While national and local organizations are responding to the immediate needs of storm survivors, CDF is focused on helping area cooperatives get back on their feet. Affected cooperatives are only now learning the extent of the damages caused by the storm. Loss of inventory, damaged buildings, lost business and wages are among Harvey’s disastrous impacts.
“CDF has a long history of providing needed and timely assistance to cooperatives impacted by natural disasters. Helping cooperatives recover from damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey demonstrates the 6th and 7th Cooperative Principles—cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community,” said Rich Larochelle, chair of CDF’s Board of Directors.
In response to other weather events, CDF’s disaster recovery fund has helped replace a furnace in a housing cooperative damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, reopen a North Dakota food cooperative after flood damage, and replace coffee processing equipment following a 2016 earthquake in Ecuador. CDF also supported technical assistance to develop cooperatives in the Gulf Coast region following Hurricane Katrina.
So far, CDF has raised close to $5,000 for Hurricane Harvey relief.
CDF will work directly with cooperatives affected by the storm as well as cooperative centers and sector associations to determine how donations can best be utilized to help cooperatives return to business.
Donors can contribute to CDF’s Disaster Recovery fund through CDF’s website, cdf.coop/hurricane-harvey, or by mailing a check to CDF at 1775 Eye St. NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 with "Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery" on the memo line.
CDF has also partnered with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to raise funds specifically for rural electric cooperatives and workers impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Contributors who would like to donate directly to electric co-ops and their workers can do so through CDF’s website, cdf.coop/nreca.
The Cooperative Development Foundation promotes community economic and social development through cooperatives. CDF is a thought leader in the use of cooperatives to create resilient communities, including the housing and care needs of seniors. Through its funds, fiscal sponsorships and fundraising, CDF provides grants and loans that foster cooperative development domestically and abroad. CDF’s Cooperative Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding cooperative leaders at the National Press Club in Washington, DC each year.
To read the original article and watch the interview, click HERE.