Keep Soda City Market Afloat
Donation protected
First things first, let's start out with a virtual group hug because so many of us could use one right now.
Next, it is our hope that when this grave pandemic ends that Soda City Market will return at full force. The weekly, year-round event bolsters 5000+ individual’s paychecks and supports the livelihood of many small business owners. And that success spawned our giving arm, Soda City Friends, which has given away over $350,000 since 2011, between Columbia Mardi Gras and the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner.
Re-opening at the first possible moment is important for our mental, economic, and community health. Brain, body, belly. You get it. And we can do this with your help, for which we’re asking you now.
We depend on our family of Soda City vendors just as much as they depend on us, and without the consistency of the Saturday market, the market will be delayed or simply not reopen. While it may - and hopefully so - look like a simple thing, it requires a lot of moving pieces that cost money, including being able to message you right now. Your donation will support the very small team that runs Soda City Market. It will support the business's expenses, our team's paychecks and health insurance, and our ability to continue supporting other small businesses affected by COVID-19 with our large presence and platform within Columbia.
This is a hard ask for us, a company that prides itself on being self-sustainable and has never sought or accepted public monies from taxes, grants, and so forth. Until now…. In this vulnerable time, it's more important than ever to remain transparent.
If the majority of our followers on our social gave as little as $5, we would remain solvent for the next few months as COVID-19 continues to worsen in our country. Here are some landmarks for our fundraising goal:
*If we reach our goal, i.e. stay in business, the first market day back will be FREE for all participating vendors as a token of our gratitude and a way of giving back to our tribe! We hope it’s ten blocks long.
*The donor who pushes us past each $1000 increment gets to pick a vendor to whom we will extend credit for a (second) free day at the market, valid forever!
*If the situation clears up earlier than expected, within 90 days, we will cover back pay for our City of Columbia Police and Fire Marshals, whom we playfully call our “Guns and Hoses”, for as many of the days they would have ordinarily worked as possible, or equally divide a lesser remaining amount accordingly.
Regardless of whether you are able and willing to donate, the positivity and love shared within the Columbia community have been remarkable and greatly appreciated by all. Vendors remain our #1 priority, since late 2005, when we started at Kristian Niemi’s Gervais and Vine with just six! And now there are over 400 on the 2020 roster. That is our unwavering promise to you, as long as we are able to keep the lights on.
We thank each of you for taking the time to read our call for help and for the consideration. If you cannot make a donation, it would make a world of difference by simply sharing our campaign so it may reach a wider audience.
Thank you and stay safe!
- Emile DeFelice
Next, it is our hope that when this grave pandemic ends that Soda City Market will return at full force. The weekly, year-round event bolsters 5000+ individual’s paychecks and supports the livelihood of many small business owners. And that success spawned our giving arm, Soda City Friends, which has given away over $350,000 since 2011, between Columbia Mardi Gras and the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner.
Re-opening at the first possible moment is important for our mental, economic, and community health. Brain, body, belly. You get it. And we can do this with your help, for which we’re asking you now.
We depend on our family of Soda City vendors just as much as they depend on us, and without the consistency of the Saturday market, the market will be delayed or simply not reopen. While it may - and hopefully so - look like a simple thing, it requires a lot of moving pieces that cost money, including being able to message you right now. Your donation will support the very small team that runs Soda City Market. It will support the business's expenses, our team's paychecks and health insurance, and our ability to continue supporting other small businesses affected by COVID-19 with our large presence and platform within Columbia.
This is a hard ask for us, a company that prides itself on being self-sustainable and has never sought or accepted public monies from taxes, grants, and so forth. Until now…. In this vulnerable time, it's more important than ever to remain transparent.
If the majority of our followers on our social gave as little as $5, we would remain solvent for the next few months as COVID-19 continues to worsen in our country. Here are some landmarks for our fundraising goal:
*If we reach our goal, i.e. stay in business, the first market day back will be FREE for all participating vendors as a token of our gratitude and a way of giving back to our tribe! We hope it’s ten blocks long.
*The donor who pushes us past each $1000 increment gets to pick a vendor to whom we will extend credit for a (second) free day at the market, valid forever!
*If the situation clears up earlier than expected, within 90 days, we will cover back pay for our City of Columbia Police and Fire Marshals, whom we playfully call our “Guns and Hoses”, for as many of the days they would have ordinarily worked as possible, or equally divide a lesser remaining amount accordingly.
Regardless of whether you are able and willing to donate, the positivity and love shared within the Columbia community have been remarkable and greatly appreciated by all. Vendors remain our #1 priority, since late 2005, when we started at Kristian Niemi’s Gervais and Vine with just six! And now there are over 400 on the 2020 roster. That is our unwavering promise to you, as long as we are able to keep the lights on.
We thank each of you for taking the time to read our call for help and for the consideration. If you cannot make a donation, it would make a world of difference by simply sharing our campaign so it may reach a wider audience.
Thank you and stay safe!
- Emile DeFelice
Organizer
Emile DeFelice
Organizer
Columbia, SC