Whether supporting their own or giving back to those most deserving, local businesses are finding ways to make an impact across our community.
Over the last month, we’ve seen many people banding together across the community, state, and country to show support in all manner of ways.
If you’re looking to ways to make a contribution, a few local businesses have ways you can make an immediate difference in our own backyard.
Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar
Get takeout from Arooga’s with an e-gift card and support their staff!
Arooga’s set up an electronic gift card that provides 100 percent of sales to a fund for their furloughed employees. These gift cards can be used immediately or saved for a meal down the road.
“We had so many businesses and customers reach out to ask what they could do,” said Gary Huether, Arooga’s co-founder and president. “We thought about a GoFundMe, but this way allows people to also get something in return for helping our staff.”
Huether and the Arooga’s team set a $50,000 goal for their initiative, which ends Wednesday, April 29.
Although Arooga’s has been able to keep eight locations operational, they had to furlough nearly 200 employees.
“We hope that these funds help our employees pay rent, get groceries, or help them in whatever they need during this time,” said Huether.
Grubs for Scrubs
andculture set out on a mission to help local restaurants and frontline workers at the same time.
Grub for Scrubs encourages the community to donate to participating restaurants to purchase food delivery for UMPC workers. Currently, Grub for Scrubs has 12 local businesses providing full meals or coffee and other treats.
Each time a business reaches their fundraising goal of $1,000 for meals or $250 for coffee + treats, an order is placed for delivery. The food is donated to staff on a rotating schedule at Harrisburg Hospital and UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic.
If you are able, you can choose to donate to a specific business or make a general donation to the overall fund.
Grub for Scrubs has raised more than $4,000 so far and is set to start its first wave of deliveries.
Friends of Midtown
Support local and win money!
Friends of Midtown is giving anyone who supports midtown businesses a chance to win $50 with their One Midtown: Neighbors Supporting Small Businesses Campaign!
How to enter:
- Buy gift cards or items from midtown businesses
- Take a picture of your receipt or items to post on social media with the tags #spendsharewin and #fomhbg and tag Friends of Midtown
- Follow Friends of Midtown on Facebook and Instagram
The campaign runs until May 9 with two drawings over two weeks. The first entry period is from now until May 2 and May 3-9. Keep buying local to enter more than once! Double your entry when you buy gift cards or items for a friend.
HOLLA Spirits
Stay stocked on vodka and help those impacted by the current crisis with HOLLA Spirits.
HOLLA’s online shop is open, and they are donating 20 percent of sales to COVID-19 relief causes.
Vodka can be ordered for direct shipping anywhere in Pennsylvania. HOLLA’s spirits are made with all-natural flavors like jalapeño, lemon, mint, and more.
Buy spirits + support the cause.
Bulls Head Public House
While we can’t get a pint from the Best Beer Bar in America right now, we can still show them support.
Like Arooga’s, all of the proceeds from Bulls Head gift cards from now until they reopen will be donated to their staff.
Tröegs Independent Brewing
Troegs is giving back with a new release from their on-going and ever-popular Scratch Series.
The new Scratch #413, which releases Thursday, April 30, will give 100 percent of proceeds to Hospitality Assistance Response of PA. HARP is a new program from Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association to aide hospitality workers.
Scratch #413 is a Hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Simcoe, and Galaxy hops for a burst of tropical fruit, orange zest, and grapefruit notes that clocks in at 7.2% ABV.
Tröegs hopes to donate up to $10,000 from sales of the beer alone.
You can pre-order Scratch #413 exclusively through Troegs To-Go Curbside service for pickup starting at 1 p.m., Thursday.
