Many are feeling the pain of this, but local businesses that make our community great will feel it more. Supporting business is the mission of my business and, in that light, here is a list of a few things you can do to support local business without leaving the house.

1. Leave a Google/ Facebook Review – Take a second and think about the local businesses you interact with on a daily basis. Your favorite  takeout, that wine bar you love, and your dry cleaner all rely on Google and social media to generate a significant portion of their trade. Take just a minute and make a list of ten places that you frequent and write them a review on Google. It’s almost impossible to understate how much this helps and it costs you nothing.

2. Purchase a Gift Certificate – Not everyone is going to be in a position to help financially, but think about this. What is something you are definitely going to spend money on, but might be postponing because you are staying home? A haircut? A car wash? What about a meal at the place near your office? These local businesses are in danger and just a small amount of support from you spending money you know you will spend anyway in the future could mean a great deal.

3. Shop Online – Many of your local businesses have online shops that you can use to buy the things you normally would. If you have a need for something, check out the website of your local shops and see what you can order online. Many retailers are offering curbside pickup and delivery to make things safer and more convenient.

4. Order for Takeout/Delivery – Restaurants are hit incredibly hard by restrictions on social gatherings. Take out and delivery services are still operating, and thanks to technology like Door Dash, Uber Eats, and more, your local restaurants are able to get you your favorite local foods, delivered right to you. When you order out, don’t forget about local restaurants who really need your support.

5. Make a Donation to the Arts – Not everyone will be in a position to make a donation, and that’s understandable. Even the very wealthy and successful are hurt by drastic shifts in the market. Keep in mind, though, that some of our communities greatest places are shut down and will be short on funding. Art museums, botanical gardens, libraries, theaters, and more will all suffer while things are shut down. When this current crisis has subsided, people are going to be ready to get back out there and some of the places you are going to want to go are going to be hit the hardest financially.

Think of a local place that could use your support and make a donation. Just a few dollars can make a big difference. Times like these tend to expand our thinking and make us more aware of our place in a community and how important it is for us to work together. As we are all forced to slow down and focus on what’s around us, remember to think clearly, make decisions that benefit the community as a whole, and to be kind. This will pass.