Beginning March 19, 2020, the state of Pennsylvania ordered a statewide closure of all “non-life sustaining business operations and services,” drastically changing business models and economic conditions for many local businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley, including restaurants. As the one-year anniversary of this shutdown quickly approaches, the Lehigh Valley is uniting with a common challenge: to support local, with friends, and within your own budget and pace.

By taking the #365TakeoutPledge, community and Chamber members are acknowledging the impact on local businesses over the last 365 days. Those taking the pledge are encouraged to make the personal commitment to order FIVE takeout meals over SIX weeks (March 19-April 30, 2021), inviting THREE friends to join in with their commitment. By committing to this pledge, a group of friends would be supporting 20 different businesses within a span of only six weeks.

“The Chamber has been working to support our local businesses who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic for almost an entire calendar year,” said Kylie Adams, AVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “And at the same time, our communities have risen to the call to ‘support local’ at every turn. From local business partners donating funds and municipalities sharing CARES Act money with our small businesses, those who are able have been stepping up in big ways. That being said, almost ‘365 Days’ later, there is no effort too small to make a difference for our businesses. By committing to spend even just a few dollars on takeout, big impacts can be made – and that’s where this campaign was born from.”

Piggy-backing on the momentum of the Chamber’s “Love Local Lehigh Valley” campaign in February and July’s “Shop Local 86” initiatives, participants are encouraged to intentionally spend their money locally to continue to support our local economy and business growth. The Facebook group, Love Local Lehigh Valley, continues to grow, with small businesses posting deals and community members sharing posts they find while they scroll.

Jessica O’Donnell, EVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, commented, “Social media has been a powerful force in supporting our businesses this year, and the Chamber continues to seek out ways to find accessible and FUN ways to allow the community to step in and support. The #365TakeoutPledge is yet another way that our community can commit to continuing their support in ways both large and small. Plus, by bringing a group of friends into the mix, there is a great social aspect to this pledge that we’re all missing, too.”

Participants are invited to take the pledge, join the Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovelocallehighvalley), and to post photos of meals (tagging the local business) with the hashtag #365TakeoutPledge. Any photos posted will be entered to win a gift card bundle to various local restaurants, with a winner announced on May 1, 2021!

When: March 19 – April 30, 2021

About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area.  We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.  With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.

Information provided to TVL by:
Kylie Adams
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Manager of Affiliated Chambers (WACC, GNLCC)
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/

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