The ongoing and still-quite-serious COVID-19 crisis has adversely impacted virtually every industry. Local journalism is one of the many economic sectors to take a huge financial hit over the past 12 months. (We know from experience.) Though brighter days seem to be ahead and there’s hope on the horizon, circumstances have become dire for many businesses that are currently on the brink of shutting down.
Riverwest Currents is one of those businesses that’s teetering on the edge of extinction. The community newspaper, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is now asking readers for donations to help “get [them] through the next six months.” The publication recently launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $12,000 to cover some printing and production costs. Here’s more information on their situation via the GoFundMe page description:
Financial losses related to Covid-19 have come in different forms for all of us. Some of our advertisers have permanently closed or are operating at a diminished rate and are unable to afford to advertise. Many public places — libraries, stores, restaurants, bars — where folks used to be able to pick up a copy of the Currents, have had to go virtual or carry-out only. Because we have fewer places to distribute the papers, we have been delivering door-to-door as we can. We have cut pages, due to fewer events, shows, etc., that used to be listed in our extensive calendar section, but we have tried to keep as much as we could in content.
The Riverwest Currents would not be celebrating 20 years of providing support to our neighborhoods if not for the help of our advertisers, volunteers, writers, and most importantly, our readers. When we get to the point where we can cut the cord, turn off the computer and TV, and finally go out again, the Currents would like to be there to continue to showcase the local people, places, events, and activities that have always been our focus.
That’s why we are asking for a little help, through opening this Go Fund Me site to raise the money to keep paying the printer and distributing the paper, both in print and online. We promise to keep going as long as we can, but we sure could use some help to get us through the next six months.
Since launching in 2001, Riverwest Currents has covered Riverwest and its surrounding neighborhoods, helping to shed a light on local arts and entertainment, bars and restaurants, area organizations, and other pieces of news. If you want to help keep this independent neighborhood publication “alive and printing,” consider donating to its GoFundMe page.