Learn how businesses can show community pride and support all year round.
While many companies participate in charitable events throughout the year, the current global pandemic has introduced challenges that require our support. Small businesses along with youth programs, housing shelters, and other social services have been struggling to meet their needs, during a time when the community requires them most. Writing a cheque, although very generous, is not the only way businesses can show support within their community.
With a little creativity, initiative, and a whole lot of teamwork, businesses can come together to make a huge impact within their communities. Whether you choose to shop local for all your business and personal needs, get physically active within the community, or get loud on social media, every effort is well invested directly into your community and the families within it. Plus, giving back isn’t just satisfying, it helps your company gain rapport and visibility, opening the door to new business opportunities as well!
Shop Local Wherever Possible
There are a variety of ways to support local businesses, aside from switching up your takeout menus. Small businesses are in every niche after all, so why stop there?
Support Local Food Services
Heading to a privately owned restaurant is usually everyone’s first thought when they think of shopping local – which makes sense for how often we dine outside the home. However, this has changed as of late, due to fluctuating restrictions and mandates, along with many people working from home and trying to cut costs. This is where local businesses like yours can step in.
Companies can show support for their local eateries by hosting luncheons and business meetings on-site, ordering catering services, or by purchasing gift cards for employees. Your company’s business will not only be appreciated, but your employees will become better acquainted with their communities and the local dining options available to them. Maybe they will visit again outside of work hours or share the new spot with friends and family!
Purchase Supplies and Services
There are opportunities for companies to support local businesses at every turn. Consider everything from computer hardware, software, and tech support, to cleaning services, insurance, or private car dealerships for your company’s fleet. Supporting businesses in your community has a direct effect on the local economy while allowing your company to build relationships within the community, with those who share similar values.
Show Support Actively Within the Community
Why wait around for the next business transaction or lunch meeting? There are likely several charities and programs in your local community needing support right now, and there’s no time like the present – especially now!
Donate to a Cause or Be a Sponsor
Of course, there is always an opportunity to make a monetary donation to a charity, or social service program – or multiple! Companies can make it fun for employees by holding fundraising events like bake sales and barbeques, or they can get creative with goals for reaching a target amount. Maybe the boss shaves their beard or dyes their hair when the goal amount is reached? Scheduling fundraising events and food drives into your company calendar gives employees something to look forward to and instills your brands’ values into the culture and environment of your workplace.
Sponsorships are another fantastic way for companies to make charitable donations within their community. Perhaps an employee, their child, or a friend in the community participates on a sports team or has an event that needs a sponsor. Monetary donations directly benefit the bottom line of any cause, while giving your brand exposure on jerseys, signage, and social media.
Implement a Volunteer Program
You don’t always have to reach in your pocket to show community support – donating company time goes a long way too. Volunteering your team’s participation in community programs opens doors for your company to create bonds with local businesses, as well as a chance for cross-departmental relationship building internally. Providing paid volunteer time and supporting the causes that are important to your employees will help encourage participation, engagement, and camaraderie between each other.
Volunteer opportunities are not difficult to come by, there’s something out there for everyone’s interests and availability. Teams can volunteer directly with hands-on service within community programs, such as youth programs or “Meals on Wheels” services for the elderly for instance. Alternatively, employees can offer their skills and expertise to help mentor small businesses and entrepreneurs – the possibilities are endless!
Use Your Platform!
Social media offers many advantages, including the ability to support all your favourite local businesses and programs on a public platform. Don’t just share accounts of local restaurants and events though, vary your posts with ones that bring awareness to local charity or fundraising efforts too. You can even share pictures and videos, or tag businesses in your company stories during volunteer or sponsorship participation to show your followers just how dedicated you are to supporting your community!
We Aim To Serve Our Community!
At SONA we deeply value the relationships we have within the communities we service – locally and Canada-wide. We strive to highlight companies that share similar values, who also engage in community efforts, and give back where possible. From onsite support at events, such as the recently attended St. John’s Board of Trade Golf Tournament, where we sponsored the check-in table, to donations like the school backpacks we filled with supplies for Phoenix Youth Programs – we are always looking for ways to serve our community!
Our passion for servicing the community has inspired SONA to put the effort forward into becoming a Certified B Corporation. It is a priority of ours to be acknowledged as a business that acts to benefit society, by considering the impact we make. To be certified as a B Corp business, companies must legally meet specific standards that verify their participation in social and environmental causes. We believe it’s all about doing the right thing when no one is watching.