Cancelled. Everything is cancelled. No sports, no concerts, no shows, no events. So now what? How can we all continue to support the businesses we love while we’re being told to stay home? Here are eight GOOD ways to keep supporting small businesses during these difficult days.

WRITE A REVIEW. There are many places where businesses are listed online. Google & Yelp are the first that come to mind. To help out a business you love, simply jump online and write a great review. Get specific. The more detail you can provide, the more likely future customers are to rely on it for their buying decisions.

BUY A GIFT CARD. Would you love to be at your favorite watering hole or breakfast spot, but can’t? Why not go to their website and buy a gift card. They’ll get the funds immediately and you can still enjoy a pint or a pancake when the coast is clear.

GET SOCIAL. Instead of spending time reading and posting about the virus on Facebook, take a few minutes to write up a post focused on the GOOD things your favorite businesses are doing. Like the service you repeatedly get at your bank? Tell your friends. Are you enjoying a tasty adult-beverage while being home? Tell us what it is and why it’s so GOOD. It’s amazing how far a recommendation from a friend can go. So get those fingers a typin’ and share the love for your favorite businesses.

MESSAGE THEM. This is definitely a hard time for any small business owner. They are likely struggling with more decisions that will have a significant affect on their customers, employees and even their own families. It’s stressful and very overwhelming. So why not send a pick me up. Shoot them an email, or post on their business page why they’re doing a great job and give them a little pep talk to keep their spirits up.

SHOP SHIPT. If you have never heard of Shipt, you’ve been missing out. Shipt is a local grocery delivery service. You go on the Shipt app and order the groceries you’d like from the store you want. Your Shipt Shopper does the heavy lifting (even texting you if something you’d like isn’t in stock) and delivers everything right to your door. You can even leave notes for your Shopper like “please leave groceries on the front porch, big dogs go crazy when the doorbell rings.” And yes, in case you’re wondering; they DO deliver alcohol. You just have to be home to show your i.d. and sign for it.

GET IT TO GO. You can still eat out and support your favorite restaurants without having to ever go inside a restaurant. Many places offer curbside pickup, allowing you to stay in your car while you pick up the goods. If you don’t mind staying home, have it delivered using one of the many different delivery apps. Door Dash, Postmates, Grub Hub and Uber Eats all deliver from an incredible variety of restaurants.

SUIT UP. Does your favorite local business have their own merch? What better time to stock up?!? Go to their website, pick out your favorite gear and a few clicks later you’ll be days away from having some new duds to wear while you lounge on the couch.

REPORT THEM. Report them immediately!!!! CLICK HERE to and turn them in for all the GOOD they are doing. We want to help our local businesses weather the proverbial storm. So turn them in and we will make sure they get the recognition they deserve.