How to help your favorite restaurants and services survive

From hospital boards to individuals selling online postcards, the current pandemic has seen a multitude of efforts and calls for donations to support our frontliners in the fight against COVID-19. Reality around the world, as we knew it, was forced to a halt.

Hard times ahead 

While individuals and families were made to remain at home, restaurants, fitness centers, salons, and many of the establishments frequented by Filipinos were hit hard by mandated measures. The switch to delivery operations or online classes allowed them to continue running by a hair but may not be enough to see them through the year. 

In a survey conducted among local businesses, 33% of restaurant owners have had to implement leave without pay, administer pay cuts, or let go of employees. Other establishments, like gyms and salons, rely on in-store activity for income and 80% report complete closure and zero revenue since the ECQ was announced on March 16. Businesses are turning to home deliveries, online activity, and increased brand awareness through social media as lifelines but even then, they do not foresee sales normalizing any time soon. 

Despite the ongoing battle against the virus, the world needs to keep turning. On May 16, the Philippine government placed the capital under a modified community quarantine (MECQ) allowing select businesses to slowly reopen. “We want to be careful about reopening to protect our team and our customers”, says one restaurant owner. Some establishments don’t know when or if they will be able to reopen, some don’t know how to afford reopening or if they can do so at all.

Helping Filipinos everywhere

Booky, a local food and lifestyle app, known for its directory and digital coupons for discounts, hosts a core essence to help people discover the best in their city. During the ECQ, they used their content on social media to help Filipinos at home discover ways to stay informed on where to get food, supplies, and ways to keep busy. 

To extend their helping hand even further, Booky launched #SupportPH, a campaign to aid beloved brands and businesses that were hit hardest by the effects of the pandemic. With little to no revenue coming their way, the campaign is a call for support for well-loved brands such as Wendy’s, Auntie Anne’s, and Serenitea.

How does #SupportPH work?

Filipinos can purchase discounted digital vouchers from their favorite brands on the #SupportPH website. Following a “help now, enjoy later” format, the proceeds will go directly to the establishments and the customer can redeem or claim their voucher up to three (3) months after the establishment reopens. 

For the customer, they can enjoy a discounted treat or service at up to 50% off while supporting their favorite brands. For the establishments, #SupportPH allows them to use this income to immediately support themselves while revenue is at its lowest. 

Some establishments have already asked loyal customers to support them through the purchase of gift certificates and merchandise, #SupportPH differs in that you can choose to purchase and support multiple brands and businesses from one website.The purchase of a milk tea or haircut voucher may not look like much, but when pooled together, these make a difference in the effort to hoist and keep our favorite brands running.

Visit #SupportPH and extend a helping hand today.