5 Ways to Help Struggling Food Businesses During COVID-19
With the recent shut down of NYC public schools and restaurants (dine-in only; effective Tuesday, March 17, at 9 AM), things look bleak for small businesses with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Small businesses are worried on completing the next month’s rent with the indefinite lack of foot traffic and would rather not want to opt for another loan from the city. For a lot of employees, these jobs are their only sources of income. Consequentially, wages will have to be cut, employees will be laid off, and restaurants will go out of business.
So here are some ways to do our part to help our favorite small businesses and still enjoy food while taking precautions during this hard time.
Buy Gift Cards
If your favorite shop has gift cards or gift certificates, buy them to use for later or give them to someone. It may be on their website. This will help money flow into the business immediately and you can still enjoy the food at a later time (some with no expiration date).
Take Advantage of Discounts
If your favorite small business is offering discounts, it’s likely that they are being hit with difficulties in making profit. To compensate that, they are willing to bring down their prices a bit to attract and quantify more orders.
Order Delivery
If a restaurant has a direct contact number for delivery orders, utilize that so there is no money being charged from third-party delivery sites (e.g. UberEats, Seamless/GrubHub, DoorDash). Third-party sites usually up-charge a fee per order. By ordering from the restaurant directly, it eliminates any fees from incurring both from you and them.
Tip Generously
Less business means fewer tips for delivery staff. If you have the means, try to tip 20-50% of your total bill. It adds up and they will be thankful that you did.
Curb-Side Pickup
Many restaurants have opted to do curb-side pickup, which means the customer calls in for an order, drives to the restaurant, and have a staff from the restaurant bring you the packaged food to your vehicle. This is a popular option for someone who doesn’t want to get out of their car.
This is an unprecedented time for all of us. Helping our local small businesses is one way we can magnify our collective effort of helping the community.
Always have tawakkul (complete trust) in Allah’s plans. It is He who brings us life and He we return to. Nothing is decreed unless He wills it.
“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.”
(The Holy Qur’an, 2:245)
We are have a running list of restaurants offering special accommodations in food assistance during this time. Please reach out to us on our socials or email muslimfoodiesnyc@gmail.com if you know of a restaurant taking part.