Letter to the Editor: Now is the time to shop local

While Amazon is looking to hire 100,000 new employees to keep up with their online shopping demand due to the coronavirus outbreak, our local, small businesses need our support now more than ever. These business owners and employees are our neighbors and friends. They are so important to our community.

Obviously our health and the health of others is our top priority, but let’s look at ways that we can help our local businesses. Here are a few ways you can support local businesses now:

· Buy now to enjoy later!

· Purchase gift cards.

· Shop ahead for birthday and Christmas gifts.

· Order take out.

· Ask the business if you can pay over the phone and pick up.

· Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer when you enter a store.

· Shop for and/or pick up essentials for your elderly neighbor.

· Buy a happy ad, birthday greeting or card of thanks to put in the paper.

· Buy your essentials locally! Our stores have toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, diapers and food!

· Support and offer encouragement to our farmers and ranchers: Drink milk and eat meat!

Amanda Hegland

NRABC Executive Director