May 6, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) is excited to announce a new tool to help independent local businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abbotsford has joined Support Local BC, an initiative created to support local, independent businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by selling gift certificates for future use.
People who want to support local businesses and local businesses who want to be listed on the site should go to www.abbylocals.com/shop.
ABCC is covering all the payment processing fees, so the businesses people choose to support get the full value of the gift certificates and can make use of the funds immediately.
“When it’s time to get back to our normal lives, we all want our favourite restaurant, coffee shop, yoga studio, hair stylist, or neighbourhood retailer to be there for us, said Jennifer McEwan, Executive Director of the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association. “For that to happen, we need to be there for them right now. That’s what locals do.”
The campaign is not just for individuals. For those who can afford to do so, the Coalition is encouraging companies to take advantage of this opportunity to frontload their catering budgets, pre-purchase client and employee appreciation gifts, or just support their team’s favourite local coffee shop.
Abbotsford Tech District, a member of the Coalition, is priming the pump and encouraging others to join in. The proposed tech hub on Sumas Mountain has committed to buying $5000 worth of food and beverage gift certificates, then donating them to local charities and community organizations for fundraising purposes such as silent auctions.
“We’re proposing an academic and commercial hub for agricultural innovation and food security, so we wanted to put our money where our mouth is by supporting local food businesses,” said Gavin Dew, Chief Strategic Advisor for Abbotsford Tech District. “A vibrant local economy makes for a strong local charitable sector, so we’re excited to double the impact by supporting both.”
“When you buy a coffee or a haircut or a staycation experience for a few months from now, you’re not just making plans – you’re making a huge difference for local businesses and their people, “said Katerina Anastasiadis, Executive Director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
“We’ll get through this together,” said Dave Sidhu, President of the Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association. “That’s what locals do.”
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About the Abbotsford Business Community Coalition:
The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) was launched to align and coordinate efforts to support Abbotsford businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, to lay the groundwork for economic recovery, and to inspire and mobilize optimism and economic confidence in the community. Its goal is to bring together the Abbotsford business community in a lasting partnership that is stronger, more resilient, and more united after COVID-19 has passed.
ABCC’s growing coalition is anchored by a core group of business leaders and organizations including the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, A&Co, Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, Abbotsford Tech District, City of Abbotsford, Community Futures South Fraser, Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association, Tourism Abbotsford, the University of the Fraser Valley, and YXX – Abbotsford Airport. Our efforts are amplified by our media partners at the Abbotsford News, Patrika Newspaper, STAR 98.3 FM, and Country 107.1 FM.
Contact:
Katerina Anastasiadis
Executive Director
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Communications@abbotsfordchamber.com
Jennifer McEwan
Executive Director
Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
office@downtownabbotsford.com