LINC is a program that shoppers can enroll in to become a Sioux Falls Co+op owner/member at no cost to them.
Many people will qualify for this inclusive food access program.
When someone is enrolled in the program, the Co+op will supplement their equity payments at $40 per year for as long as they stay enrolled, until they hit the full $200. Once they hit $200, they are fully vested and are technically no longer part of the program—their stock is theirs, just like anyone else’s. After the initial five years in the program, should they decide to no longer be a Co+op owner, their stock will be refunded to them. If, at any time during the five years before they hit $200, they decide not to be an owner anymore, they do not qualify for a refund of their stock value; the amount that has been invested in their stock will return to the LINC fund.
Q&A Information
This program is intended to be for those with a
limited income. While we will not candidly offer this
program to everyone, we will also not require
verification because this program is intended to be
inclusive and without barriers.
The benefits are the same as any other owner. Learn more here.
Owner benefits kick in immediately. An owner does not need to be fully vested ($200) to receive benefits.
We will not run any financial check-ups on any enrolled LINC members. Should a LINC participant find themselves in a new financial position and wish to solely pay off the remaining amount of their $200 investment, they may do so at any time, and management can help with this.
If you have not reached fully vested ownership at $200, any accrued stock will be returned to the LINC funds – forfeiting that stock in full. If you already reached $200 and are a fully vested owner, accrued stock will be returned to you in full.
You may sign up to become part of the LINC program! The ownership investment amount that you have already made towards the $200 fully vested amount will stay as-is, and LINC will contribute $40 annually just like you’re starting from scratch, until you’re fully vested at $200.
When you make a purchase at the Co+op, at the time of check out, you may enter your phone number into the credit card machine or staff can look you up in our system. We then link you & your account to the transaction. There is no card to keep track of, it is all done digitally.
LINC is a donation-funded program. If an application was denied, that is likely due to the fact that raised funds are currently depleted in other LINC ownership accounts. This is temporary and you will be placed on a waiting list to be welcomed to the program when more funds have become available. We will contact you when that time comes.
To keep your LINC ownership account active, you must shop at the Co+op at least once every 12-month period. If you do not utilize your Co+op ownership account within that time frame, we will release your ownership equity paid back to the LINC funds. Should this happen, you may re-apply to LINC at any time and will be placed on the waiting list in order with others.