Now more than ever, local businesses are feeling the effects of losing visibility and market share in America’s ecosystem – rising rents, decreased sales volume, and increased competition from online providers. But, there is a pent up cultural demand and economic imperative to support these businesses and our communities. Join us for a panel of business and non-profit stakeholders that are working tirelessly to support our local business as they discuss their efforts through a combination of technology and advocacy approaches.
Panel speakers included:
- Moderator: Jimmy Tingle (Humor for Humanity)
- Ben Dooley (Localisity CEO)
- Derek Peebles (American Independent Business Alliance ED)
- Theodora Skeadas (Cambridge Local First ED)
Here are ways to take action:
- Support one local business this week, by:
- (1) Ordering food takeout from any of these local restaurants!
- (2) Order merchandise from any of these local vendors!
- (3) Using Localisity’s online platform to buy your groceries!
- (3) Buy gift cards now for later use, and donate to GoFundMe campaigns for businesses and their employees.
- Support local media, by donating to Scout Magazines’ fundraiser.
- Support Cambridge Local First, by becoming a community member.
- The Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition has collated a list of resources for nonprofits and requests for volunteers here.
- This shared spreadsheet highlights the volunteer needs of some local nonprofits.
- There is a new volunteer clearinghouse, specifically for Cambridge small businesses! The platform is a clearinghouse for information: it is up to the volunteers to reach out to the businesses, or the businesses to reach out to the volunteers. A user’s profile page has relevant information about them, including their social/professional links for vetting purposes. Reach out to POC Daniel Wang (ywang@bbns.org) with questions.
- The Cambridge Volunteer Clearinghouse is developing a list of volunteers who welcome agencies’ targeted appeals for skilled or general assistance. To see this list and all skill categories, contact Laurie (cvc@cambridgevolunteers.org).
- To get involved nationally, support the American Independent Business Alliance, with a donation.