Free Dinner at the Co-Op

February 16, 1937  Had a big dust storm from the south.  Hung out the wash to dry.  Then we went to Meade.  We got a free dinner served by the co-op and John Deere.  Mama stayed at Mother’s. 

The co-op was a non-profit, mutual organization for all the local farmers to join.  It sold gasoline, diesel, chicken feed, livestock feed, supplies, and many other things a farmer needed.  It also owned an elevator and bought wheat from its members.  At the end of the year, it paid a bonus check to its members based on the amount of business they had done with the co-op and the profit for the year.  It was also a great place to socialize as all farmers would stop there when they came to town.  

On this day, the co-op and the John Deere implement dealer sponsored a free dinner for anyone who wanted to come.  It was their way of advertising to the community and of building goodwill among their customers.  Cornelius loved these sorts of events because it gave him the chance to visit with so many people.  And of course, no good Mennonite could turn down a free dinner.