We are all so used to having the freedom to do what we want when we want but COVID-19 has changed this for all of us. We are all having to find new ways to communicate, work, take dance classes, visit our families and fulfil the cravings from our favourite restaurants or cafes.
Pretty much every restaurant and cafe around the world has had to reinvent themselves overnight and change their business model or strategy so they can not only remain open but so they can keep their staff employed.
Here are five ways you can help support your community during these unusual times:
Shop on Line
Now that so many of us are working from home it’s the perfect time to shop till you drop during your morning tea or lunch break – of course! Jump online and buy that one thing that you have always wanted and wallah – it will be on your doorstep in no time!
One of my Wollongong favourites (POD Emporium & Espresso) is offering a great deal on coffee beans where you can order online direct with the supplier Delano Coffee and by adding “WELOVEPOD” at checkout you will get a 15% saving, POD will make 15% and the supplier also gets paid! Supporting two locals at the same time – genius!
Spread the Word
Re-share Instagram or Facebook messages from your favourite businesses on your social sites! If you see they are having a promotion, have a new business model for delivery or take away or are just sending a shout-out to remind people they are still open then share this information with your friends and followers.
Not only will this re-share this very important information with your friends and followers but it will also show the business owner that people care!
Headlands Distilling Co. – a local Wollongong distillery – quickly adapted to the needs of their community by swapping Gin distilling for making hand sanitiser – which we all know is like liquid gold at the moment!
Gift a Gift Voucher
Purchase a gift voucher for yourself and a friend, this way not only are you showing your support for your local but you are also locking in that all-important dinner date with your bestie when life starts returning to normal!
Get Social
Start by following your favourites on their social sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter along with signing up for email updates on their websites. You will find that as businesses come up with new ideas or have sales they will promote it on one of these sites first.
Kneading Ruby (a delicious and trendy Italian restaurant in my home town) is not only now home delivering but has also started selling take-home survival and romantic night in packs which you can cook at home and include things like a bottle of wine, pasta, freshly baked bread, parmesan cheese and the most important ingredient authentic Italian pasta sauce – yum!
Order In or Takeaway
Most restaurants and cafes have quickly adapted so all of your favourite meals can be home delivered or collected in takeaway packs. One of my favourite local restaurants (Mylan Vietnamese Restaurant) is now home delivering and another is offering drive-up takeaway where you drive up and they will deliver your meal through your car window!
Thoughts and opinions about how to Support Your Local Community During COVID-19 are entirely my own.
