Local First – Supporting Businesses During COVID-19
Local First
Small business is at the heart of our community! We’ve seen countless restaurants/churches/stores stepping up to help out during these uncertain times. We would like to see our favorite local establishments survive so that we can patronize them when it is safe to be back out in the world.
We’ve been trying to do our part to help the communities we serve during this challenging time:
- Pennian Bank has helped our business customers apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, a federal program offering forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our loan officers and staff worked overtime to assist these business owners.
- We’ve given substantial donations to four local organizations to help with COVID-19 relief efforts for families that are struggling during this time: Juniata County Food Pantry, Perry County Food Bank, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Join Hands Ministry.
- Since restaurants are a huge part of our local economy, the bank has provided front-line staff with lunch from local restaurants throughout our market areas.
Here are a few things you can do as consumers to help keep those businesses afloat.
- Buy a gift certificate. It will benefit the business and it will give you something to look forward to later.
- Order takeout/delivery. Give yourself a break from cooking and help out a local restaurant.
- Tip on takeout orders. Let’s face it, right now is a terrible time to be a waiter, delivery driver or barista. Not only are they working fewer hours, they’re no longer receiving the tips they were used to getting. If you can afford it, make someone’s day with a generous tip!
- Reschedule events rather than cancel. Venues are counting on this income and if they aren’t able to host events, they have no income. They will be more than happy to accommodate you at another time.
- Share on social. If you get something delicious from a restaurant, don’t be afraid to share it on social media.
- Consider a small business before shopping the large retailers such as Target or Amazon. Be more thoughtful about where you invest your dollars. Remember to shop Local First!
- Say THANKS! Local business owners may be experiencing high levels of anxiety with everything going on in the economy right now. A thank you card or email with a little compassion goes a long way these days!
Investments during these uncertain times will certainly help boost their bottom line so that they can hit the ground running when we’re no longer social distancing.