How to Help Charlotte and Our Community in Need
Rather than feeling helpless or overwhelmed, we encourage you now, more than ever, to continue to contribute to the fabric of Charlotte’s community. These are some of the best ways, right now, that you can make an impact, a difference, and still feel connected (albeit from afar) to the city and its people. From supporting businesses in new ways, to making a difference without spending a dime, to food drives and animal adoptions, this is what you can do today.
The list will grow and evolve over the coming days, so please check back or send a note to info@qcexclusive.com if you have ideas.
Support Businesses As They Go Online
Dozens of Charlotte’s boutiques and shops have moved to online shopping:
Belk
Boem
Capitol
Fit Atelier
Girl Tribe
Ole Mason Jar
Pink Hanger
Poole Shop
TRC
TRCW
Foster (or Adopt) a Shelter Dog or Cat
Few people are able to adopt pets during a crisis, and many adoption events have been cancelled, but pets have been continuing to arrive at the shelters. If you have a little extra time on your hands and can help by fostering or even adopting a friend, these local organizations are still open and trying the best they can to care for their animals:
Angela’s Ark
Animal Care and Control
Charlotte Area SPCA
The Humane Society
Use a Local Travel Service
Ashley created The Constant Wayfarer to curate luxury travel plans for individuals, couples, and groups.
As a small business owner whose whole livelihood and passion is helping people experience the world, she has spent these last months on hold for hours so her clients don’t have to be, and advising them and being a support to them as they have had to cancel and rebook dream vacations, honeymoons, and special celebration trips. “I think this time more than any has really been an incredible example of the value a travel advisor provides to our clients and why the old school idea of a “travel agent’ is no longer the most accurate job title,” Ashley explains. “My role is to advise and advocate for my clients as much as I possibly can.”
Use a Local Cleaning Service
Speaking of smart business ideas, IsoKlean of the Carolinas is providing a one-step cleaning and disinfecting serving for commercial and residential. It’s 100% effective against COVID-19, as well as any other sterilization needs.
isoklean.agency-134.com
Help Feed Children
There are several organizations working overtime to help feed children who depend on school for meals.
Bags of Hope in Lake Norman is in need of donations and volunteers.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will open around 70 sites across the county to provide breakfast and lunch to students who rely on school for meals.
Christopher Sottile of The Loyalist Market has partnered with local food businesses to create meals for children who received free lunches at school. Support the mission to feed about 700 children a day for two weeks.
Noble Food & Pursuits is seeking donations to increase the number of charitable meals they serve per day (600) up to 2,000 to meet the growing demand during this time. Chef Noble says as little as $7 will help serve one person a healthful, hot meal today.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte is working with more than 800 partner agencies in 24 counties, and looking for help raising money to buy nutritious, shelf-stable items for food boxes for families whose children are missing school meals, for senior citizens asked to stay at home, and for workers financially impacted by reduced work hours.
South Mecklenberg High School is running a massive food drive for those experiencing food scarcity and is looking for continued donations.
Support Local Artists and Makers
Artists, makers, and photographers are seeing their work shift and evolve just as everyone else. For some of us, being homebound is now one of the best ways to enjoy art, books, photos, music, or handcrafted goods. You can also support local venues, shops, galleries and museums with a gift card purchase, and engage with them on social media to help share their work with others.
Here are a few locals makers we love:
Bombshelves
Cactus Club
Choice Cut Industries
Created Beautifully
Erin McDermott Jewelry
Grizzly Cookware
Indigo Tilt
Jamey Price Photography
Society Social (March 27th and March 28th shop for a selection of furniture, decor & gifts up to 50% off. The sample sale stories will go live on @societysocialcharlotte)
Prism Supply Co
Pure Stella Skincare
Windy O’Connor
Support Local Businesses Without Spending Any Money
Leave a review
Like and comment on their posts
Share posts or information
Post a picture of your favorite local business or purveyor
Tag a friend who might also be interested
Order Delivery, Takeout, or Grab Curbside Pickup
All of these restaurants/shops have decided to remain open, without serving anyone in-house. Check the individual restaurants/shops for their particular hours and methods of operation at this time.
Ace No. 3
Amelie’s French Cafe & Bakery
Angeline’s
Bardo
Bar Marcel
Blaze Pizza
Brixx
Bulla Gastropub
Capishe
Charlotte Beer Garden
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Common Market
Dilworth Tasting Room
The Dunavant
Earl’s Grocery
Flower Child
Foxcroft Wine Co.
Futo Buta
Good Food on Montford
The Goodyear House
Hawkers
Hello, Sailor
The Hobbyist
Indaco
Kindred
Lincoln’s Haberdashery
Living Kitchen
Mama Ricotta’s
Mandolino’s
Napa at Kingsley
Noble Smoke
NoDa Brewing Company
Oak Steakhouse
O-Ku
Optimist Hall
Reid’s Fine Foods
Resident Culture
Sabor Latin Street Grill
Soul Gastrolounge
Stagioni
Superica
Two Scoops Creamery
Wooden Robot Brewery
Yafo Kitchen
Yamazaru Sushi & Sake
Have even more ideas of how to help Charlotte and Charlotteans? Let us know now!