Restaurants can give back to the community in unique ways.
Patronage and customer loyalty is based on trust. Customers trust that they will get quality service and good food when they dine out. Restaurants trust that their community will keep coming back for more.
Giving back to the community your restaurant feeds will in turn feed your restaurant. Here are some simple, yet powerful and meaningful, ways your restaurant can give back.
Donate Unused Food
Food waste is a $96 billion problem – every year. Meanwhile, a shocking one in six Americans is facing hunger.
New Mexico Restaurant Association contributed to a booklet called Managing Food Waste in New Mexico Restaurants produced by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition.
Restaurant managers do their absolute best to purchase the precise amount of ingredients the restaurant will need. However, that doesn’t always happen.
Feeding America is stepping in to bridge the gap between wasted food and the hunger problem in America. They get extra food from their restaurant into the hands of individuals in need. This eliminates two major problems at the same time!
Donate a Percentage of Profits to Charity
One great way to raise funds for a charity of your choosing is to dedicate one evening or day to raising money for the charitable cause.
Commit to donating a percentage of profits to that charity and publicize the event widely. Drawing a large crowd benefits both the charity and your restaurant as a large crowd will mitigate the impact the donations have on your bottom line.
Host a Food Drive
Any fundraiser or charity initiative that involves food is a natural fit for your restaurant. Plus it’s easy and effective.
Simply hang up some flyers and set up a visible collection space for customers to bring their items to donate. Promote your food drive on social media to get customers up to speed.
Support Our Military
A military discount honors and supports both the active duty and veteran men and women who have served our country. There are multiple ways you can implement a military discount.
You can offer an ongoing discount – such as 5 or 10 percent – to service members. Alternatively, you can designate a specific day where you offer special discounts or deals to service members. Military Monday anyone?
Supporting our military through special restaurant industry initiatives is a great way to give back to those who have served our country. Customers will also appreciate that you care about our military.
Sponsor or Host a Charity Event
Another way to show your support to the community is to sponsor or host a charity event. You can sponsor an event by donating food or services to that event. Hosting an event means providing your facilities, which can also be done in your restaurant’s off hours.
There is a Host of Ways to Help
Restaurants give back to their communities in many creative ways. 90% of restaurant operators say their restaurant supports charities:
- 85% give food
- 79% donate cash
- 40% provide space for events
However you decide to give back, your community will undoubtedly recognize and appreciate your efforts.
Bonus Perk: Restaurants give back to help charities and the community, but any of these activities can also be a tax write-off!
