Equal Dollars Keeps It Local

April 2013
Greetings!

Spring cleaning is all about clearing out the old and bringing in the new. This month, Equal Dollars was able to experiment with a new idea- its first ever Keepin' It Local Day! Members spent their Equal Dollars while shopping at local businesses. For more about this exciting day and other recent events such as the Film Screening, read on!
KILEqual Dollars Keeps It Local in South Kensington 
Equal Dollars partners with SCKP to launch first every Keepin' It Local Campaign
  

On Saturday, April 6th, the Equal Dollars team accomplished a goal that we had long hoped to achieve: to have businesses in Philadelphia accept a combination of US and Equal Dollars at the cash register to thank local residents for performing service in their community. The April 6th Shop Local Day was the culmination of months of work which included organizing a street clean-up for volunteers in South Kensington as well as recruiting local businesses to recognize this community spirit by offering special deals and discounts using Equal Dollars.

 

To make this goal a reality, Equal Dollars worked closely with the South Kensington Community Partners, a non-profit organization that brings together local business owners, community leaders and other residents to help care for and maintain their neighborhood. With the support of the SKCP as well as the Girard Business and Arts Association, we were able to bring out over 20 volunteers on a bright Saturday afternoon in March to help clean and maintain business corridors around South Kensington. Thanks to the amazing effort of these local volunteers, we were able to clear over 50 bags of trash from the streets along Girard Avenue, Front St., and other pockets of South Kensington. Business owners benefitted from cleaner, more appealing streets and store fronts and the SKCP's volunteers were thanked for their time and effort with an Equal Dollars gratuity.

 

 Click Here to Read More! 

FilmEqual Dollars Hosts First Film Screening & Member Meet Up
Members Gather in Germantown for film, food and conversation
It's no secret that the almighty US dollar influences our everyday behaviors and stress levels. On Friday, March 22,  Equal Dollars introduced a better-kept secret at our first-ever film screening.

The secret: The US Dollar doesn't have to win.

Gathered at the Wired Beans Cafe in Germantown, a captive audience of Equal Dollar members examined their own understandings of relationships with money. The documentary, The Money Fix stimulated lively group discussion, with attendees surprised to learn that our economy was designed to keep some people at a disadvantage. While the audience was aware of economic inequality in Philadelphia, many members were newly informed about the causes of this circumstance and were energized to help tackle related community challenges.

 Click Here to Read More...

Volunteer: WePAC
Promoting Literacy in West Philadelphia
In the Philadelphia School District, only 10% of schools have working libraries. The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children's mission is to promote childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia public schools through re-opening and staffing libraries, academic mentoring, and after-school enrichment. Since 2009, WePAC has opened 16 previously closed elementary school libraries, and is currently running 12 libraries in West and Southwest Philadelphia.

The WePAC library program is looking for volunteers to catalog books, read aloud to children, encourage curiosity and foster a lifelong love of reading. Volunteers work in teams of 3-6 people, with the help of a librarian. No previous library skills needed! This a great opportunity to get involved with an inspiring project and reach children during the early and critical years of their education. Volunteers commit 2-3 weekly hours for the remainder of the academic year, which ends in a month and a half. Want to try it out?
Contact: Morgan Rogers, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, today! Cell: 267-443-3224 or Email:

 

Click here to visit their website!

Local Currency Highlight
Calgary Dollars, Canada

Does Equal Dollars Have a Twin?

Calgary Dollars may be the Canadian equivalent of Equal Dollars

 

It seems that Equal Dollars has a doppelganger in Canada called Calgary Dollars! Just like Equal Dollars is Philadelphia's community currency, Calgary Dollars is Calgary's complementary currency system. It was started by the Arusha Centre in 1995 and works to bring together local talents and resources in order to strengthen the local economy. Equal Dollars and Calgary Dollars (C$) are similar in many ways, a few of which are listed below:

  • The wealth of both currencies lies in the skills and talents of its members. Every single person is an asset and has something to offer the system.
  • These complementary currencies are not meant to replace the federal currency, but to compliment it.
  • Both Equal Dollars and Calgary Dollars are scrip currencies and have paper money circulating their communities.
  • Both currencies offer membership to local businesses in order to help them help them grow their businesses, connect directly with their customers, and retain loyalty. 
  • By joining both Equal Dollars and Calgary Dollars, members invest in reducing their environmental impacts.
  • Both local currencies have an online marketplace where members can post listings and buy & sell using the currency.

For more about Calgary Dollars, visit their website!    

*Spotlight on a Business*
Philly Homebrew Outlet

What could be better than buying homebrew supplies using your Equal Dollars? How about supporting a local business that rewards volunteers? That's why we love Philly Homebrew Outlet. Located in South Kensington, Philly Homebrew sells a wide variety of wine and beer homebrewing supplies and also offers classes to help novice brewers learn the ropes.

If the vast selection of products and super-friendly staff doesn't draw you in, Philly Homebrew was also one of the retail stores that participated in our Keepin' It Local Campaign on Saturday, April 6th.

Want to use some Equals at Philly Homebrew? Check them out at our next Keepin' It Local Day in South Kensington (stay tuned for the date!). To learn more about Philly Homebrew Outlet visit their website!
*Spotlight on a Member*
Larry Butts
At its core, the Equal Dollars program is based around community service and the volunteer efforts of our members. Recently, Equal Dollars expanded our search for outside volunteer opportunities that would allow our members to branch out and assist other worthwhile organizations while at the same time receiving Equal Dollars as a thank you for their commitment to service. We found a great deal of programs happening all over the city that were looking for volunteer help and one of our members, Mr. Larry Butts, really embraced the idea.

Larry went online and printed out the Equal Dollars Volunteer Form which allows our members to get Equal Dollars by volunteering at outside organizations. The first name that jumped out at him was the SHARE Food Program located on West Hunting Park Ave.  

Click Here to Read More...

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Equal Dollars Member Interview: April
Equal Dollars April Member Interview
Nicole Marcote is the co-owner of Quince Fine Foods, one of a dozen businesses that participated in the Equal Dollars Keepin' It Local Campaign earlier this month. In this interview, Nicole discusses her experience accepting Equal Dollars at her store on April 6th, as well as why she wanted to get involved with Keepin' It Local and the changes she hopes community action will bring to South Kensington.
April Events
Equal Dollars Film Screening and Member Meet Up
Thursday, April 18, 6:30pm
Cafe Rue 52, 503 S. 52nd St.

Join us for film and food with Philly flare at a free screening of the documentary The Money Fix. Meet other members and discover new trade possibilities!

For more information, call Rachel at 215-951-0300, ext. 3255

Uhuru Health Fest & Flea Market
Saturday, April 20, 9am-5pm
Clark Park, 43rd and Chester

Come out for food, music, zumba, health screenings and health resources at the festival! Also, stop by the Equal Dollars table to say "hello"! Interested in volunteering at the Equal Dollars table? Contact Manon at [email protected].

Click here for more details!

Food Market
4/15, 4/19, 4/22, 4/29
1-2:30pm
4700 Wissahickon Ave

Purchase produce, bread, canned goods and much more every week!

Click here for more info

Treasure Chest Boutique
4/18, 4/25
2-5pm
4700 Wissahickon Ave

Browse a wide selection of clothing, housewares and specialty items. Donations accepted!

Click here for more info
How Do I
Cook THAT?!


Since we have been receiving lots of cauliflower at our weekly food markets, we decided to feature this healthy veggie in the April newsletter! Cauliflower is wonderful because it is low in fat and high in nutrients. It is a versatile vegetable and can be boiled, fried, steamed, roasted, or eaten raw. To learn how to cook blackened cauliflower "steaks", click here! But first, check out the blackened seasoning mix recipe, which you'll need to coat your "steaks" with.
Our monthly newsletter is a way to keep our members informed of Equal Dollars updates and opportunities. If you are not an Equal Dollars member and wish to become one, please visit our website www.equaldollars.org to sign up!

Happy Trading!
Your Equal Dollars Team
Equal Dollars Community Currency | 4700 Wissahickon Ave | 215-951-0300 | Email Us | Website
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