(Michael Browning via Unsplash)
Dec. 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
An online petition has been launched to encourage Sunnyside and Woodside residents to support bars and restaurants in the area–as a means to help them survive the latest indoor dining ban.
The petition, which was launched Saturday, calls on residents to spend at least $25 per week on takeout or delivery at a Sunnyside/Woodside bar or restaurant.
By signing the petition, residents are essentially making a pledge to spend the funds at local venues.
Christopher Mitchell, the resident who started the petition, said that local establishments have contributed a great deal to the community and are now in need of support.
“These bars and restaurants are owned, run and staffed by our neighbors, friends and family,” Mitchell wrote as part of the preamble to the change.org petition.
“They have contributed generously to local events, fundraisers and charity drives. They are a vital part of our community and they need our help.”
The petition calls for 1,000 people to make the pledge and nearly 600 have already signed on.
One signee posted a comment on the change.org site saying that she would spend double the amount in order to cover those who can not afford to take part.
Indoor dining in New York City was suspended as of Monday by the governor following a spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Mitchell fears that a significant number of the businesses will be forced to shutter for good, given the loss in revenue.
“By committing to spend at least $25 each week in takeout this winter, we can support these businesses that have generously supported our community,” he writes. “This money could be the difference between keeping the doors open or shutting down.”
Mitchell also suggests purchasing gift cards from local establishments for the holiday season as a show of support.
He is also asking residents to promote the petition online by giving shout outs to their favorite venues and using the hashtags #25forSunnyside and #25forWoodside.
“Our restaurants don’t have a lot of time. Please make the pledge today,” Mitchell writes.
Sign the petition here and follow the cause on Facebook and Instagram.
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One Comment
Ask job killers JVB and Gianaris for donations. Massive unemployment coupled with shutdowns and they did all they could to chase away revenue generating jobs from Amazon. Keep voting Democrat though.