How Your Business Can Help the Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic

All businesses are facing challenging times as the financial impact of Coronavirus starts to surface, and when faced with challenges like this, those most vulnerable in our community can often get left behind.

The most important thing you can do as an individual is also one of the simplest and that is to stay indoors and keep yourself healthy for you and your community.

Here are a few impactful ways to help your community that won’t compromise your health and safety.

Get Volunteering online:

Speaking with Matthew Boyd – Co-founder & CEO of Vollie he believes , “there has never been a better time for skilled online volunteering. When we launched Vollie 3 years ago, we did so with a view that people could change the world from their home. now is a more fitting time to emphasise the power of remote volunteering, as a business we have been inundated with requests from skilled volunteers, asking for more opportunities on our website.”

So how does online volunteering with Vollie work?
Jump online visit https://www.vollie.com.au/ and follow the prompts. Tell them what your skills are and what causes you’re passionate about. Based on what you tell them they will show you projects from around the world that match your skillset and causes. Then get started volunteering from home and create your own hours.

Donate food & essentials
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is asking for Food & Essential donations to help those seeking asylum to survive in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic as they are seriously under threat as they do not have the Government safety nets like Centrelink or Medicare available to them. They rely on community generosity to keep their shelves stocked – the majority of their groceries are donated by people just like us.
For an up-to-date list of the most needed items, please follow their Facebook page and donate accordingly.

Similarly, The Father Bob Foundation feeds hundreds of homeless people across Victoria weekly. Although there are new restrictions in place, the foundation is continuing to put all their efforts and resources into providing emergency food relief, working in conjunction with Councils and other agencies.
For Donations to support the homeless who are in desperate need, please head to https://www.fatherbobs.com/donations

If donating food in person is not an option as it may compromise your health. Both foundations are taking money donations through on-line portals.

Champion local businesses

With Government policy forcing many small businesses to close, and more and more Australians self-isolating to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many local businesses have been hit hard and could face permanent closure. Where possible, we are encouraging our staff at OITC to buy local -whether that’s online, or over-the-phone orders and delivery.

Find out if your local cafe is still offering take-ways and keep visiting regularly.
If your hairdresser and beauty salon has closed – buy their products online where you can, and purchase vouchers to use when the business reopens.
Shopping for clothing, household items, or kids toys, CHOOSE LOCAL Remember that your orders from overseas will be heavily delayed and may never arrive.

We know many of you are in a tough financial position, so if none of the above is feasible, use your online presence to share your local favourites and go-to’s so that those who can afford to buy know where to go. As things continue to change daily, tt’s helpful to look to other people, profiles, brands for inspiration on how to help your community.