News you can use July 15th......

  
USDA Loan Update:

We received word this past week that CreekSide Co-op's USDA Loan Application was approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's USDA office and "strongly endorsed" by that office when it was submitted to the offices of the Vice President and the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington, DC last week for final review and approval at the federal level. While we are still awaiting final approval from Washington and there are still additional hurdles to overcome, this is a very significant and positive development in our pursuit of favorable, long-term financing.

Thank you to the members who answered the call to help us bridge our short-term financing between now and when our permanent financing is in place. Just last week, we raised about $2,500 in additional member equity. That is a good start, but we still need a total of $30,000 to ensure that our carrying costs are covered for the next 3-6 months. We've put austerity measures in place and have cut our operating budget as much as possible, but we still need your help. If you haven't yet contributed additional member equity, we ask that you please consider increasing your equity contribution to the full $400 or beyond to help us bridge the gap between now and when we obtain our financing (hopefully later this year).

  
  
Music & More...

Members of CreekSide Co-op have NO requirements to volunteer when the store opens, however we are asking for volunteers now to help us make the "MUSIC AND MORE" fundraising event in November a success. You won't be bagging green beans but you might be asking a local theater to donate movie tickets or your neighbor to offer a massage or a weekend boat trip on the Chesapeake. If you've been following these newsletters, you've read about "MUSIC AND MORE," our November 14, Silent (and Live) Auction and Music event at Elkins Estate. This event needs lots of people-power to make it a truly successful, fun time for all and we need your help to make it happen! Contact us at events-music@creekside.coop to volunteer or for further information.

If you yourself would like to donate an item or a service to the Auction, please also send an e-mail to events-music@creekside.coop. We will need the following information:

1. Your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address
2. Your Business Name (or how you want the program to reference the donation) and those contact details
3. The item(s) being donated
4. The value of the item(s) being donated

Elections...

In the near future, you will be receiving information about the upcoming Elections for the 2011 Board. It is a wonderfully enriching experience to be a part of something truly meaningful in our community. Please consider nominating yourself or another member (please get their approval first) to run for one of the seven Board seats that will become available next year.

Farmers Market...

We had a great return of the Farmers Market this past Sunday, so don't forget to keep coming out to High School Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to shop! There will be even more fresh produce and goodies than ever before!

Member Equity Payments
 
We continue to beat the drum for members who haven't contributed their second or third year of member equity to please do so. That means if your household has contributed $50, please consider contributing another $50 toward your full member equity total of $400. Even if you've already reached your $400 full share, please consider contributing more so that we can make it over the hump until we receive the state and federal loans we've applied for.Visit  the CreekSide Co-op website at www.creekside.coop and you'll find a member equity tab right there on the home page or just click HERE. We are going to make this store happen, but we need your help to do it.