In reaction to the federal government cutting off funds to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Weavers Way announced last week that it has created the Cooperative Food Fund, to provide temporary cash assistance to Co-op members receiving those or other needs-based benefits.

The fund has been seeded with $5,000 from the Co-op’s cash reserves to assist the more than 800 Weavers Way households -- representing more than 5% of the Co-op’s total membership -- that receive help from SNAP, Women Infants and Children (WIC), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), according to General Manager Jon Roesser.

“Fortunately, while the failure of the federal government to fund SNAP has the potential to be devastating, our cooperative ownership model puts us in an exceptionally strong position to respond to this crisis in a way that other grocers cannot,” he said in a press release.

Until the government funding is restored, the Co-op fund will provide up to $50 per week for a one-person household, and up to $125 a week for a multi-person household. The exact amount will be determined by the amount of money in the fund. Once the benefits are restored, any remaining money will help subsidize the Co-op’s “Food for All” discount program, Roesser said.

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to https://cooperativefoodfund.square.site/, or patrons can donate at checkout at any Weavers Way store. You also can mail a check to the Weavers Way Community Fund, Attn: Finance Department, 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia PA 19118.

Anyone wanting to sign up for assistance is asked to contact the membership office at member@weaversway.coop.