In emergency situations, community members turn to each other for support. If your small business is safe and unaffected, it can become a leading source of comfort and assistance.
While your business probably won’t be able to resolve any crisis your community faces, there are some ways it can make a difference for those affected. Here’s how it can be a valuable resource when your community needs it most:
- Provide a space for comfort and community. A safe place to rest and recharge can mean the world to people impacted by crises. Your business can serve as a space for neighbors and friends to meet, connect, and take their minds off their worries for a while. If you have the capacity, you can also provide simple necessities like water, internet access, outlets to charge devices, and situation-specific essentials.
- Offer discounts or promotions. Community members may struggle financially both during and after local emergencies. Making your products or services more affordable can help ease some of this trouble. Whether you can offer free products or services or discounts during the recovery period, any support your business can afford can make a big difference.
- Share resources online. One of the easiest ways to support people in times of crisis is helping them stay informed. Local leaders, news outlets, and organizations will share updates and resources to make sure the public has all of the information they need. You can help amplify these messages by sharing them on your business’s social media and website.
- Coordinate a donation drive or charitable initiative. As people recover from disasters, they’ll need basic resources such as water, food, clothing, and other everyday items. Community members will want to help but may not know how to ensure their donations reach the people who need them. Your small business can serve as a hub for dropping off donations and delivering them where they need to go. Find an organization that’s bringing resources to those in need and plan a drive to support its cause.
You can also run a charity initiative to financially support disaster victims directly or an organization that’s leading recovery efforts. In this case, you can donate a portion of your proceeds for an extended time or all proceeds for a more limited time. Choose an option that works best for your business and its expected sales.
- Bring your products or services to people who need them. People may need your business’s offerings but not have the means to visit in-person. Try to meet your customers where they are, whether that be in their homes, at evacuation centers, or online. Removing the transportation obstacle can help community members access the resources they need that your business provides.
When disaster strikes your area, your first step should be to ensure that you, your team, and your small business are safe. If you’re able to keep your business running, it can make a positive impact for its community that they’ll never forget.