5 Ways Local Businesses Can Lend a Hand in the Wake of Natural Disasters

• Posted on 13 October 2022
• By Lux Boutique
• 0

Whether it’s a California wildfire or a Florida hurricane, natural disasters can change the world as we know it in the blink of an eye. In Naples, Florida, lives were changed in a matter of mere hours as floodwaters rushed inland, and high winds pelted homes and businesses. Fortunately, numerous businesses came together to help those in need. Here are some of the ways they did it. 

Whether it’s a California wildfire or a Florida hurricane, natural disasters can change the world as we know it in the blink of an eye. In Naples, Florida, lives were changed in a matter of mere hours as floodwaters rushed inland, and high winds pelted homes and businesses. Fortunately, numerous businesses came together to help those in need. Here are some of the ways they did it. 

Ask Vendors for Donations

While it might seem a little awkward at first, if your local business has several independent vendors, it’s a great idea to reach out to them in the aftermath of a major natural disaster. Often, they are more than happy to send donations - some large and some small - to help the people who are in greatest need. Lux Boutique’s vendors were especially generous and donated clothing, cosmetics bags, flip-flops, and other items to help the hurricane victims as they begin to rebuild. 

Donate Sale Items

If your business is struggling to sell the rest of your clearance items, whether they are clothing, bath and beauty goods, or even household items, consider donating them to people in need. After a natural disaster, many people are forced to start over from scratch. Even with insurance, it often takes months or even years to get payouts, and everyday things can provide a great deal of comfort and relief in the interim. From a simple t-shirt to shampoo and conditioner bars, consider donating the things you might have otherwise put in a clearance sale. 

Charge Full Price & Donate the Difference

Were you thinking of having a sale on your signature coffee drink or sandwich? Rather than giving shoppers a discount, consider charging full price and donating the difference to people and businesses in need. People are often happy to pay a little more for their items when they know that the proceeds are going to a great cause, and there’s no cause better than helping people in their community recover from unthinkable disasters. 

Donate a Meal for Every Meal Purchased

Restaurants are in a unique position to help their communities following natural disasters, and there are certainly plenty of ways to do it without putting yourself in the red. For example, instead of hosting a lunch special, charge full price for your lunches and donate a meal to someone in need for every meal purchased. This way, your customers can feel good about spending their money in your establishment and you are in a better position to help your local community recover. 

Share the Love on Social Media

Even if your business can’t donate to locals for any reason, social media is free - and it’s a phenomenal way to help people who may be looking for something specific. Spend a little time each day tagging open local businesses and explaining what they are doing to help. It gives potential buyers a list of places to go if they want to help, and those in need will know where to pick up a hot meal, a box of clothes, or some bath and body products. 

Surviving a natural disaster is difficult, especially when you’ve lost your home or your business. Fortunately, even the smallest communities can come together to help provide for those in need, whether that means providing clothing, hot meals, or essential services.