Electric Fetus COVID-19 Staff Relief Fund
Donation protected
The Electric Fetus has stood tall as a space for music lovers in Minnesota since 1968. As a retail establishment turned underground monument, the Fetus has lot of love behind it. A lot of love, strange stories, and persistence. This business, owned and operated by the family that opened it, has held a long-standing commitment to the Twin Cities music scene, expanding its cultural reach well past the frozen state lines of Minnesota. We have created a community that continues to stretch boundaries of every kind.
I believe that now is crucial time to reach out to that community.
On Tuesday March 17, 2020, the Electric Fetus announced that it would be temporarily closing for in-person purchases due to community concerns of COVID-19. Employees have been laid off company-wide, as our managers made the very difficult decision to shut the doors. While some of us are fortunately able to work remotely for the business in an online capacity, many of us are not.
This fund would seek to explicitly aid laid-off workers of the Electric Fetus in this unprecedented time of need. Many of us will qualify for unemployment benefits, but for most of the well-known clerks behind the counter, this will not be enough to manage necessary living expenses in the wake of COVID-19.
Distribution of funds would provide immediate aid for severe needs such as rent or mortgage payments, even smaller every day prospects like over the counter medicine, and groceries. Without outside funding, many of the employees of the Fetus may have to go without these essentials. The goal posted is a general estimate of what it might take to meet those necessities while helping as many employees as possible. With government action unclear, and no way to predict a re-opening date, I do not believe that we have time to wait for things to shake out.
This is a fund that is organized and managed by employees of the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This fundraiser is not run by the Electric Fetus Company. It is managed by individuals previously employed by the Electric Fetus. The Electric Fetus company will not be distributing these funds, nor will they be managed with the purpose to handle company expenses. This fund is explicitly for employee expenses and costs of living that have been offset by an unexpected and sudden layoff. Our managers and owners have made a very difficult decision, with little time to prepare. This was the best possible decision for our employers to make, and we are all trying to move forward as best we can.
I recognize that we are all impacted by this virus, and am only asking that individuals donate within their means. If donation is not possible, I ask that you send this link to a friend, or a fellow patron.
The Electric Fetus has faced reconstruction, a fast-changing music industry, and quite literally, a trial by fire. These are unprecedented times, with unprecedented measures required. May we come out stronger for it.
In times like these, we only have each other.
Banner by Twin Cities employee Sarah Wolfe
Sincerely,
Majestic (or Millie, or Lark) Lasky
Records Clerk, Electric Fetus
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I believe that now is crucial time to reach out to that community.
On Tuesday March 17, 2020, the Electric Fetus announced that it would be temporarily closing for in-person purchases due to community concerns of COVID-19. Employees have been laid off company-wide, as our managers made the very difficult decision to shut the doors. While some of us are fortunately able to work remotely for the business in an online capacity, many of us are not.
This fund would seek to explicitly aid laid-off workers of the Electric Fetus in this unprecedented time of need. Many of us will qualify for unemployment benefits, but for most of the well-known clerks behind the counter, this will not be enough to manage necessary living expenses in the wake of COVID-19.
Distribution of funds would provide immediate aid for severe needs such as rent or mortgage payments, even smaller every day prospects like over the counter medicine, and groceries. Without outside funding, many of the employees of the Fetus may have to go without these essentials. The goal posted is a general estimate of what it might take to meet those necessities while helping as many employees as possible. With government action unclear, and no way to predict a re-opening date, I do not believe that we have time to wait for things to shake out.
This is a fund that is organized and managed by employees of the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This fundraiser is not run by the Electric Fetus Company. It is managed by individuals previously employed by the Electric Fetus. The Electric Fetus company will not be distributing these funds, nor will they be managed with the purpose to handle company expenses. This fund is explicitly for employee expenses and costs of living that have been offset by an unexpected and sudden layoff. Our managers and owners have made a very difficult decision, with little time to prepare. This was the best possible decision for our employers to make, and we are all trying to move forward as best we can.
I recognize that we are all impacted by this virus, and am only asking that individuals donate within their means. If donation is not possible, I ask that you send this link to a friend, or a fellow patron.
The Electric Fetus has faced reconstruction, a fast-changing music industry, and quite literally, a trial by fire. These are unprecedented times, with unprecedented measures required. May we come out stronger for it.
In times like these, we only have each other.
Banner by Twin Cities employee Sarah Wolfe
Sincerely,
Majestic (or Millie, or Lark) Lasky
Records Clerk, Electric Fetus
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Organizer
Majestic Lasky
Organizer
St. Paul, MN