This is a really tough time to be a small business or a not-for-profit organization. While everyone is rightly encouraged to stay home and keep their hands off the world, bills are still coming due and people are wondering what’s going to happen to their income. When you see one of your most go-getting survivors of a friend seeking donations for her employer, you have to stop and think — What are we going to do for our people here? Vision Long Island is one of our region’s strongest advocates for Main Street. They have just released their first Main Street News offering a great guide to what people can do in terms of personal initiative, resources and advocacy. Another strong advocate for local business that has been posting good stuff on their facebook page is the Long Island Business Council. In general, some ideas that have seemed good to us include: - Buy Gift Certificates. Consider simply sending a donation to your favorite local business
- Realize small businesses are often better for social distancing because they tend to be less crowded. They may even have that hard to find supply!
- Restaurants are closing, but can still do takeout/delivery. Even for alcohol!
- Realize many of these places care about their own health, your health and the community more than most ever realized. Know that many local shops are going out of their way to safely keep on keeping on — Book Revue in Huntington, for example is offering curbside service and even delivery. We’ve heard report of local hair stylists all but wrapping their stylists in bubble wrap. Look up their website/social media. Even if they aren’t advertising it, call them to inquire!
- Special events are hugely important for organizations. Had an event cancelled? Send a donation! You can check our newsletter archives to find 100s of great local organizations
- Strongly consider supporting policy proposals that directly support individuals and small businesses. While they are going out of their way to come up with creative means of keeping going, there is only so much they can do,
- Just be kind — Especially to the cashiers, service providers and others working through this. Just. Be. Kind.
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