FAREWAY DONATES MORE THAN $2,000 TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES

Fareway Stores, Inc. recently announced a $200,000 donation to the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives (ICCE). The donation provided for $2,150 in gift cards to ICCE chamber of commerce member, The Washington Chamber of Commerce, who worked with the Fareway management and family to distribute these to local small businesses and their employees.

On Tuesday, April 28, these businesses gathered at our local Fareway to celebrate Fareway’s initiative, which also kicked off National Pay It Forward Day. Pay It Forward Day is a worldwide celebration of kindness that takes place every year on April 28th. Not associated with any organization or foundation and free to participate in, Pay It Forward Day exists to encourage people to stand for kindness out of the goodness of their hearts!

Many of the recipients of the gift card were businesses such as salons, restaurants, and small business owners who have been closed for over 6 weeks. These local business owners and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our community. “We depend on them to ensure the Washington is a place that people want to live, work, and play in. When they aren’t open, they are faced with difficult decisions that can include their ability to pay bills or feed their families. Whether a business is a chamber member or not, we want them to make it through this difficult time and open their doors when it is safe to do so,” explains Chamber Director, Michelle Redlinger.

The local Washington Fareway store managers Dave Waite and Ron Grote worked with their Fareway family to say thank you to our local businesses by gifting them each a Fareway gift card. “We hope this relief reduces some of the stress our community business partners are facing,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer.

Follow the movement on Facebook with #SupportLocal #FarewayShopsLocal #IAChamberStrong.