Dayton, Ohio – While some Warren residents were preoccupied with the Independence Day festivities and hanging out with friends and family, others are battling food poverty and the difficulty finding surrounding grocery stores. Warren City officials and local leaders are banding together to investigate the prospect of building a cooperative grocery store in order to alleviate these issues.
Supported by the oldest African American church in Warren, Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church, the project seeks to provide a fresh approach to the food shortages in the neighborhood. Community members will be gathered at the church located at 1137 Main Ave. SW to discuss the possible project at a special event scheduled for July 9, 2024, at 6 pm.
Ahmaha Sellasie, founder and president of Gem City Market in Dayton, Ohio, will lead the presentation. Gem City Market is well-known for its dedication to provide reasonably priced, premium groceries within a community-owned and run environment. The website of the market states that their main goals are to empower and serve local areas while creating a friendly environment.
With hopes of motivating Warren residents to start their own Food Co-Op Grocery Store, Sellasie intends to share knowledge on Dayton’s success in achieving the goals. The conversation will center on how the Dayton community banded together to design a sustainable model fit for Warren.
Read also: Montgomery County invites job seekers to hiring event for JFS and ESS positions
Project support comes from several community leaders and figures. Mayor Doug Franklin and State Representative Nick Santucci are among the notable supporters, along with numerous residents, civic, and community leaders. This wide base of support emphasizes the general awareness of the need of more easily available food choices.
Read also: Holiday schedule changes for waste collection in Dayton, Moraine, and Jefferson Township
The event is public, and community leaders are pushing all interested individuals to join in the discussion. By using community collaboration and resilience to set the foundation for a Food Co-Op Grocery Store in Warren, this conference marks a vital first step in tackling food shortage in the area.
