| Name | Julie |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Seard |
| Home Address | 5845 Frontage Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312 United States |
| Organization Name | |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | |
| Organization Address | |
| Website | |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 4236505965 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 4232503455 |
| Email Address | julieseard@gmail.com |
| Alternate Email Address | juliefernando156@gmail.com |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | East Chattanooga is home to a community that has been hit disproportionately hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low income, single parent homes, low percentage of vehicle ownership, pre-pandemic the community was classified as a food desert. This desert was made worse when the Walmart neighborhood market closed on Shallowford Road on March 26, 2021. I am submitting this proposal in the hope of securing the funds to transform the vacant church building at 2003 Wilcox Blvd (in the heart of East Chattanooga) into a volunteer run grocery store. By eliminating the vast majority of the labor costs, we will be able to provide food sustainably at an affordable cost in the middle of a food desert and within walking distance for many residents. I am patterning this model after a successful volunteer grocery store in Minneapolis, MN (Good Grocer). Good Grocer operates with 450 volunteers who commit to a minimum of 2.5 hrs of volunteer work a month and in return, get a 20% discount on groceries. Additionally, if you qualify as having food insecurity, you can apply to have a 6 month access to the discount section that has food at up to 70% off. Good Grocer also has a small core of full-time paid positions with benefits to ensure that everything runs smoothly. My vision for 2003 Wilcox Blvd. is to honor the structure that is currently there, have an inviting outdoor space facing Wilcox Blvd with picnic tables, ambient lighting, and a covered place for pop-up vendors. Behind the building will be the parking and delivery spaces. Inside there will be fresh produce, meats, cheeses, a grab and go station, coffee shop, discount section, essential household goods, and a freezer section. Also in the building there will be a few offices and the old sanctuary section will be an event rental space that will host anything from receptions to business events, and cooking classes. The pop-up vendors and rental space will bring in additional income to the grocery store and also raise awareness of the grocery store and its mission, subsequently bringing in more patrons and volunteers. Having this type of grocery store in this area of Chattanooga will address the food desert/ food insecurity of the surrounding community, allow the volunteers to gain work experience, engage the community in an uplifting and impactful mission, and create a talking point to bring interest to the area. I choose 2003 Wilcox Blvd partly because it is currently an eyesore, but more importantly it is on a bus line, on a main road, and in a high density residential area. It is already classified as a food desert, it is near the new Avondale YFD center, and near other vacant spaces for new business to join the area. By revitalizing what is currently an eyesore, it will be a visual reminder to the community that they are valued, there is hope, and together we can find a sustainable way forward. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | The American Rescue Plan is looking to catalyze sustainable projects, that after an initial influx of money, will be able to continue advancing our community out of the deficits the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought. This volunteer run grocery store can address the exasperated food desert by providing affordable healthy food. It also provides work experience for those forced into unemployment due to the pandemic. The outdoor picnic tables can be an accessible access point for broadband internet, our office space can be rented out to those who don’t have remote working capabilities in their homes. The percentage of resources a household must allocate to food is large, and a local, budget friendly source for fresh foods will be a financial boon as well as a proven, preventative health measure. I believe that this volunteer run grocery store can spark generational change and address the longstanding challenge of providing fresh food to East Chattanooga. |
| Where would your project take place? | 2003 Wilcox Blvd., Chattanooga, TN 37406 |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 2800000 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | No |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | |
| If funded, when would your project start? | June 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 18 months once the land is acquired |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Financials, annual reports, volunteer count, the community involvement (different organizations involved), repeat customers. Poll our customers and see how much of the local community is shopping and/or volunteering at our store. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | We will heed all the requirements that come along with being a 501(c)(3) organization, following their guidance for financials and annual reports. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | Improved access to quality food, improved health, and replace an eyesore with an attractive focal point. Property values will rise. This positivity could catalyze more revival in the area. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | The community acutely recognizes the need, so buy-in is expected. To paraphrase Kurt Vickman (Good Grocer’s founder), This model allows people to come and contribute their time and save a ton of money on their groceries in a way that’s not just a handout, it’s a hand-up. As for the community at large, I believe many will be interested in the improvement that this will bring. They will recognize that reallocating their grocery dollars to a wonderful local grocery store will add value on many levels. I believe that our model alone will attract the community. So if we present it to local businesses, organizations, and churches and canvas the local residents, I believe the community will show up to support this project. Additionally, the rental space and inviting pop-up vendors will continue to grow our community buy-in for years to come. Our community is yearning for a grocery store that provides quality natural foods at affordable prices. |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | My costs and timeline are estimates ($200/sqft for building costs plus 6% for the architectural/ engineering, $300,000 to purchase the land, $225,000 for equipment/refrigeration/finishes/etc, $130,000 for parking lot and landscaping) this is assuming a 10,000 sqft building). I have a meeting with Joe Crites from Elemi Architects next week and will get a firmer understanding of the current cost and construction environment. He and his company are excited about this project and think it would be great for the community. I will also be visiting Good Grocer, per their invitation, to get a first-hand understanding of what they have built and how I can implement it here in Chattanooga. |