Making a Difference in Community

There are so many ways that we can make a difference. Small changes ripple out and have a much bigger impact than we may realize. We talk about the importance of community and how much we’ve lost the connection. I want to ask you to find ways to bring community back into your area, and into other areas in need.

First of all, buy local. There are so many wonderful local stores owned by local residents who are following their passion and bringing goods and services to the area. What is so great is that they put money back into the community. These local businesses hire local people. They go to great lengths to cater to the needs of their customers because their livelihood depends upon it. Many of these businesses pay rent, they pay taxes, and they live where you live. They spend their money locally. They care about your community.

Support our local Farmers’ markets and farm stores; food grown locally doesn’t spend days on trucks in order to us. It is fresh. Fresh produce, locally and ethically raised meats, dairy, eggs, and the list goes on. What about baked goods and bread? What about health foods, supplements, bulk items? Instead of the big box stores, see if there is a local merchant supplying what you need. Yes, sometimes you pay a little more but you are saving in gas and possibly in shipping costs. More importantly, you are putting money right back into where you live. You are voting with your wallet.

Many local businesses struggle and we end up with empty storefronts because of it. Think about it. When our local stores are all rented out then there is more of a draw to shop in our neighbourhood. Your visit makes a huge difference to these businesses. Last week a local store posted on Facebook that they were struggling. Traffic to their shop increased and they were invited to be interviewed on the cooking show on the local radio station which gained them more exposure. What a beautiful example of people coming together. If you do have to shop at a big box store then shop close to home and support the employment opportunities for local people.

The diversity of local businesses is immense. Clothing stores. Restaurants. Hair salons. Book stores. Healthcare practitioners. Health food stores. Local coffee shops. Who needs Starbucks when you can cozy up in a local coffee shop? Search out local farmers who sell from their farm gates. Support the local artisans. Give gifts from your community, it is a wonderful way to give to someone you care about and also give back to the vendor.

There are many ways to donate to charitable organizations in your community. Look around. We have many amazing charities in my area. One is 100 Women with Heart Northumberland. http://www.localfoodforlocalgood.ca/how-it-works.html. There are chapters of 100 Women in other communities as well. Each woman donates $50 quarterly. They get to nominate local charities and then vote on the recipient of the money collected each quarter. This means that four local charities benefit each year. It is such a small amount to donate and yet, together, so much good is done. Look at donating clothing, books, household goods etc. to your local charity shops or community support organizations instead of sending everything to the landfills.

I am also a huge fan of organizations that raise money to encourage people in poverty to become self-sufficient. Check out Kiva. www.kiva.org. For $25US you get to pick a person, or group of people, anywhere in the world to be the recipient of a $25 loan. You can choose the category of the loan, the type of business, and you are able to read about their business and the intended use of the money. I am on my third sponsored loan, the first two have been paid back and the third is brand new. Again, such a small amount of money that enables shop keepers to buy merchandise to sell, small businesses to purchase equipment, farmers to buy farm supplies, seeds and feed etc. etc. I love that it encourages people to work for themselves, it empowers them, and gives them hope for the future.

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