Use your driver team to make a difference in the community—and build a little buzz for your RDS.
Many consumers, especially the younger ones, prefer to patronize businesses that give back. People are paying attention to the philanthropic efforts of businesses and making spending decisions accordingly.
In fact, charitable giving has become such a common practice for businesses that it’s no longer newsworthy. The new challenge is finding a new and interesting way to give back. And your restaurant delivery service (RDS) has one specific resource that makes this easy: Your delivery drivers.
With a fleet of drivers at your disposal, your RDS has something truly unique to offer. Countless nonprofits and important causes can benefit hugely from some extra transportation support. Rallying your team for a day of volunteering is great for the community and builds camaraderie among your employees.
Volunteer opportunities for your RDS’s delivery fleet
Excited about the idea but not sure where to start? Here are a few options to consider:
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- Your local food shelf. Many people who rely on food shelf support often struggle to get there. This is especially true in the dead of winter, when it’s too cold to walk or ride a bike. Many food shelves rely on volunteer vehicles to deliver packages to these families.
- Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship. Many religious communities undertake massive charitable projects around the holidays. They may collect nonperishable foods, clothing, and gifts for those in need, especially children. All those donations need to be transported to their final destination. Call around or ask your team if anyone needs some extra cars to help out.
- American Red Cross. The Red Cross relies on a massive network of volunteers to move medical supplies from place to place. Get in touch with your local branch to see if they need help with an upcoming drive or event.
- The local park system. Many parks have huge volunteer programs—and not enough funding. Transporting all the supplies they need for a big volunteer day can be challenging. Talk to a ranger and see if they could use a few extra vehicles to move stuff around.
This is merely scratching the surface of who in your community may need your help. Children’s hospitals, school systems, and animal shelters are among the countless other organizations you might call. And ask your drivers for ideas too. They may know of another worthy cause that could really use your help for a day.
How to ensure a successful philanthropy day.
There are several steps you can take to maximize the value of your volunteer day.
- Keep it reasonable. Don’t volunteer your drivers for anything longer than a standard shift—and even that might be unnecessary. Many organizations will be thrilled with a few hours of help. There’s no need to sign up for a twelve-hour day.
- Make it fun for your drivers—and pay them. Your team can reap considerable benefits by volunteering as a group, but not if it feels like a chore. Get them engaged early on. Ask for their input on which charity to choose. Bring coffee and donuts for everyone that morning. Send out generous notes of appreciation afterward. And of course, make sure you pay them for their time. You might even give them a few extra bucks for gas and maintenance, as a thank-you.
- Send out a press release and spread the word. As previously mentioned, an RDS volunteering its fleet is a great—and unique—story. Don’t keep quiet about it! Encourage your team to take lots of pictures and selfies throughout the day. Ask your charity partner to share a quote about their cause and how your drivers helped. Use these assets to write a press release and post generously on social media. Even if the media doesn’t pick up the story, volunteerism makes a good impression on consumers. If you can put a smile on someone’s face, they might decide to place an order.
Like the idea of your RDS’s team of drivers volunteering together? With the holidays coming up, now is a great time to start doing your research. Ask your friends, family, and team members if they know of any local organizations that could use your help. Make a few calls and send a few emails to see what’s out there. The rewards—for both your business and your wellbeing—can be significant.