COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND

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We’re very excited to be in this phase of bringing our community-owned, ‘everyone welcome’ grocery store to 250 E. Broad St.

Ten years in, our dedicated group of volunteers has worked to:

• secure an appropriate and accessible location
• sign a ten-year lease on a dedicated space in a newly-constructed building
• hire a project management team, store designer, interior design team, and prepared foods consultant
• break ground at 250 E. Broad St.

We are currently in the process of hiring a general contractor and have established the General Manager search committee, while we explore the rebranding of our organization as a retail establishment.

To move this activity forward we have a goal to secure $300,000 for our Community Investment Fund, to support our immediate needs so we can open in 2023.

The good news is that we have already secured commitments for about $270,000 – if you have already supported us, thank you! If not, we are in need of your help to raise the additional $30,000 to close that gap and stay on track.

Why we’re asking for your help…

We are fortunate to have been selected by U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild’s office and the City of Bethlehem to receive a $2.9 million grant. We will not receive this grant in one check for the total amount. Due to the nature of federal grants, it will be some months before the City receives the funds on our behalf.

Secondly – and more importantly – this grant is a “cost-reimbursement” grant, meaning we will need to submit requests to reimburse us for allowable costs, after we have already paid those expenses.

While we are grateful to have this support, we have some critical costs that we need to fund right now, such as equipment deposits and final store design, to stay on track to open next year.

We are financially responsible and working to limit the amount of debt the co-op incurs. Plus, your support right now will help fund programs that the grant won’t cover, such as membership scholarships, community programming, and initial operating expenses.

How can you help?

Purchase Naming Opportunities 

Leave your mark of support on the co-op for years to come by purchasing a naming opportunity. This allows your name (or business or family name) to be displayed on part of the physical store, such as our produce department, kitchen space, or a bulk bin!

Click here to learn more.

Make a Donation 

Make a tax-deductible donation today to support our dream of building a full-service, community-owned grocery store in downtown Bethlehem.

Be sure to select “Bethlehem Food Cooperative” as the fund designation on the online form.

Click here to learn more.

Become a member

Your one-time membership fee will help support our work and make you an owner of the co-op! As a member, you will have a voice by voting in board elections, enjoy member discounts while shopping when we open, and help ensure our long-term sustainability.

Click here to learn more.