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If you regard your small business as a staple of the community, it’s only fitting that you take measures to give back to said community. In addition to helping improve the lives of those within your city or township, giving back to the community can effectively bolster your business’s reputation and generate new interest among prospective patrons.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of ways for small businesses to help their respective communities. Small business owners who are eager to start giving back would do well to consider the following options.
Donate Unneeded Devices
Many small businesses are awash with devices of all types. From smartphones to computers to tablets, the modern small business is packed to the brim with gadgets. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of these gadgets receive equal usage.
In fact, if you upgrade your business’s devices on a consistent basis, there’s a good chance you have a ton of unused electronics taking up space in your workplace.
So, if you currently have any devices that are serving no purpose outside of occupying storage space, consider formatting their hard drives and donating them. For example, many schools, churches and charitable organizations are always accepting device donations, and there are certain charities that are dedicated exclusively to finding new homes for unneeded devices.
Still, this isn’t to say that you should unload devices that are many years out of date or no longer functional on local charities. Devices that no one is likely to get any use out of should be brought to the nearest e-waste recycling facility.
Make Financial Donations to Local Causes
Making financial donations to local causes can be a great way to show love to your community and illustrate your commitment to improving it. So, if there are any local causes or charitable organizations you wish to support, don’t hesitate to write them a check and volunteer your services wherever they may be needed.
While monetary donations are always appreciated, giving some of your time to these causes can help cement your reputation as a business owner who truly cares about the issues affecting their community.
Offer Internships
Offering internships can prove beneficial on a number of fronts. For one thing, it can be a fantastic way to foster fresh talent and provide students with some insight into your industry. Given how competitive both college admissions and the modern job market can be, it’s in every student’s best interest to develop an affinity for their chosen craft as early as possible.
Providing internships can also help put money in the pockets of disadvantaged students, thus helping them on the financial front, as well.
Additionally, depending on how well certain interns work out, you may even want to consider offering them full-time opportunities with your business. Even if they don’t take you up on this offer, you’ll be able to provide them with a great reference once they begin actively searching for work.
Take Part in a Food Drive
Food drives are among the most common – and most effective – types of charitable activity. No matter where your business is based, you’re unlikely to have trouble finding food drives to partner up with.
Schools, churches and shelters are particularly keen on food drives, so if you’re unclear on where to find one, these are great places to start your search.
You should also consider organizing a food drive of your own. Depending on the size of your business’s customer service base and general standing in the community, such an endeavor may prove extremely successful. There’s also the option of supporting a nationwide food charity, like No Kid Hungry, which has attracted a number of corporate partnerships, such as Amazon help for hunger.
Giving back to the community can benefit your small business in a number of ways. For starters, your actions will play an active role in improving the lives of others and provide you with a tremendous sense of community pride.
Secondly, charitable actions on your part can be a boon to your business’s reputation and help ensure that it comes to be viewed as a community mainstay. Small business owners looking to do right by their respective communities should give some thought to the options discussed above.