As a business, it is always important to be thinking of ways you and your employees can give back and support your community. We’ve established the Curtis Cares program as our way of making a difference in the community we serve. If you’re not sure how to begin, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help your business make a positive impact in the community.
Partner with your local food bank
Each year, the Curtis team partners with the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for Restaurant Week as a way to make a difference in the community we serve. As a proud sponsor of Restaurant Week, we support the Food Bank by taking part in food drives and implementing Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to allow employees to serve the community organizations they are most passionate about without losing pay or benefits.
The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma partners with agencies across 24 counties in Eastern Oklahoma, helping them provide for the needs of their communities. From soup kitchens to community food banks and everything in between, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma continues to raise awareness and provide solutions to alleviate hunger in families in Eastern Oklahoma. Additionally, the Food Bank is a proud member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Find out ways you can get involved and learn more by visiting their website.
Host a food drive charity event
Food drives are easy, effective ways to give back to your community. In fact, the holiday season is typically the best time to host food drives because it allows the community to express gratitude for the season of giving through their donations and involvement.
Generate buzz for your food drive charity event with coupons, social media posts, flyers and word-of-mouth. You can also set up a designated drop-off space with collection boxes to limit face-to-face contact.
Host a fundraiser at your restaurant for a local event
Offering to host a fundraiser at your restaurant for a local event or organization is a great way to show support for your community and the charity you’re fundraising for. Make sure the fundraiser or charity is something you are genuinely passionate about supporting and can make a positive impact on your community.
Feed the hungry
This holiday season, many families may not have the means to cook their own holiday meal. Consider hosting dinner at your restaurant to feed the hungry. An alternative to hosting dinner at your restaurant is delivering meals to local shelters and churches who are offering holiday meals for the hungry. To save on costs, you can team up with other restaurants in your area to host a holiday dinner for the hungry together.
Donate unused food
Instead of wasting food at the end of each working night by throwing it out, reach out to a local or national organization who can assist with transporting food from your kitchen to the families in your community who need it most.
Donate to charities
There are many ways to support your local charities through donations including donating food or offering meals to those in need at a reduced price and donating disposable masks and gloves to local nursing homes, hospitals and shelters.
Publicly commit your restaurant to a day or evening of donating a percentage of its profits made to the charity of your choice. Advertise this partnership early on to help get the word out for both your restaurant and the charity chosen. Getting your customers excited to participate benefits everyone involved!
Another great way to support your community and gain exposure through giving back is to donate gift cards from your restaurant to local charities, fundraisers or organizations.
This holiday season and beyond, use your skills to benefit the community you serve and encourage your customers to follow your lead. The people who make up your community are bound to take note of your efforts and will show their appreciation by continuing to support your restaurant.
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