Supporting Local Businesses & Non-Profits in a Time of Crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic it is important for everyone to do their part to stop the spread and flatten the curve. For many, this means staying at home, practicing good social distancing, and waiting for the worst of the storm to pass. For others, such as nurses, doctors, and other medical/ health care professionals, it means battling coronavirus on the front lines, putting themselves at risk every day to care for those that need it most.

While it is important to do everything possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19, if you’re not a medical or healthcare worker, you may be wondering what you can do, other than staying at home, of course, to help your community during this crisis. At Gilbert, we understand your desire to help your neighbors. Which is why we have created a guide to local non-profits and relief efforts across Greater Boston that would greatly benefit from any help you can give.

• The Reading Food Pantry
• The Adventist Community Center Food Pantry in Stoneham
• Salvation Army / Mystic Valley Pantry in Malden
• Philadelphie SDA Church Pantry in Malden
• Bread of Life Food Pantry Malden
• Unitarian Universalist Church Pantry in Medford
• Friends of Francis Food Pantry Medford
• The Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
• Meals on Wheels
• The Boston Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund
• Women’s Foundation of Boston Response Fund
• The Greg Hill Foundation Restaurant Strong Fund
• Eos Foundation Emergency Children’s Meals Grant Program

If you’re looking to help your community in ways that are outside of donating to non-profits and relief efforts, consider supporting local businesses from the comfort of your own home. While it is clear that staying in your home and practicing social distancing are the best ways to prevent the continued spread of the virus, it also disproportionately hurts local businesses that survive on customers coming into their establishment. This is why we at Gilbert have compiled a list of ways to help your local businesses during this difficult time.

Order takeout from your favorite restaurants.

While restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, and other staples in your community are not allowing people to come in and sit in accordance with the mandate by the governor, many are still offering takeout or delivery services. This is their only source of income, and a great way to eat the food you love while keeping yourself, your family, and restaurant employees safe.

Purchase a gift card.

Whether you’re buying gift cards to your favorite local restaurants, or to places that you frequent such as hair salons, nail salons, the barber, a local boutique, or beyond- the money that you are spending goes straight to helping your neighbors keep their businesses alive during these economically difficult times.

Donate to or promote fundraising efforts.

Many local businesses have created fundraisers in order to keep their businesses a float. Whether or not you are able to donate yourself, sharing their fundraising efforts on social media is a great way to bring exposure to the community staple that you love in their time of need.

As long-time members of the Reading and Malden communities, Gilbert Insurance is lucky enough to work with many small businesses in the area. From landscaping companies, to catering operations, to businesses somewhere in between, Gilbert recognizes that it is more important than ever to commit to helping our neighbors and their livelihoods- and we urge you to do the same.

Whether you’re ordering your favorite Italian dish from the Venetian Moon in Reading, donating food to Bread of Life in Malden, or something else entirely – your efforts to help your community do not go unnoticed. Aside from staying home and keeping a good social distance (six feet apart), coming together and supporting our community is one of the best ways we can get through this pandemic.