#GoTogether to support your community

Whether as an individual or as a business, finding ways to support your community has always been good for strengthening your community and boosting morale. But as the United States navigates its way through the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to give back isn’t just a way to generate good feelings – it’s become an essential activity.

How we’re helping

Here at SHOUT!, we’ve taken this call to action seriously. While there are lots of great ways to support others right now, we’ve offered support to frontline hospital workers in our community by providing food from Flemington’s Just Subs to Newton Hospital, Hackettstown Hospital, and Hunterdon Medical Center. 

After all, food is not just sustenance for the body – it nourishes the spirit as well, and no one needs more support than our frontline hospital workers. 

But there are lots of ways to give back. Sewing masks. Donating to food banks. Even just checking in on friends, colleagues, and neighbors who face higher risks for COVID-19 can be a meaningful way to offer support to your community. 

As a business, there are many reasons to step up during this time.

Supports workers on the front lines and community members in the trenches of COVID-19

Of course, this is the most obvious reason. We step up because people need help. At this time, there are tens of thousands of people in essential industries working tirelessly to keep their communities safe and healthy. There are hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been destabilized by COVID-19.

Supporting the work of individuals is a great way to make an impact in their lives. However, don’t forget the hardworking organizations that are also doing good work. To find a charity near you, visit https://greatnonprofits.org/.

Other ways you can offer support for those most affected:

• Offer pro bono professional services 
• Organize a food drive
• Set up a PPE drive to support local healthcare workers
• Donate blood or plasma

Improves sense of community and togetherness

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” said Coretta Scott King.

When we step up, we help make people’s lives better. We also improve our community as a whole. A community that works together has a far better chance of recovering from catastrophes than one who doesn’t. 

Some ways to extend support to your whole community:

• Coordinate a car parade for a morale boost
• Buy local for personal and professional needs
• Plan a socially distanced neighborhood beautification project

These actions can all be done at both the personal and professional levels. And of course, the very best way that you can help your community is by adhering to recommendations from local public health agencies and the CDC to make sure you’re keeping yourself and others healthy.

Demonstrates your values

Now is where the rubber meets the road. While it’s true that many businesses may not be in the position to make big financial contributions to charitable organizations, there are many ways to offer support to those in need. And customers are watching. 

 

The difficulties of the moment might seem overwhelming at times, but helping others has a ripple effect. As you help others, you also help yourself stay positive and motivated both as an individual and as a business.