By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program.
"Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."
Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount.
"A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.
The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help.
"We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."
If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.