Recommended by Leaders: Simple Acts of Kindness that Cost Under $30

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Here’s how you can support neighbors and essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis

As business leaders during the pandemic, you may be trying to solve expensive, time consuming challenges to your business. Your attention is needed there. But when we asked executives for information about their own coronavirus response, we were surprised to receive many examples that were quick and inexpensive. This reminded us that while your company needs your long-term leadership, your community may need some instant acts of kindness.

Below are three simple yet generous ways you can extend kindness today. These ideas won’t cost much time or money, but they may provide you with the emotional lift you need to return to your longer-term, more strategic coronavirus response.

#1: Send a meal to an essential worker.

“I personally have many friends who work in healthcare as doctors, nurses, technicians and administrators. I have personally bought lunch for most of them and their teams to let them know I appreciate their dedication and hard work on the front lines during this time.” -Tasha Davis, T-Mobile

Before you send food to a healthcare system, coordinate with the administration first. Sending meals has the added benefit of supporting the hard-hit restaurant industry.

#2: Give blood. Prohibitions on public gatherings canceled most scheduled blood drives, which means the nation’s blood supply is facing unprecedented challenges. If you’re healthy and not part of a high-risk population, consider donating blood. You can schedule an appointment at a local donation center and bring your laptop along to keep working while you wait your turn.

#3: Buy groceries. Aleen Bayard, founder of Transformative Consulting, was touched by the Facebook post of a friend, who offered to make sure no one she knew went hungry.

“If anyone is not working/not getting a paycheck and runs out of food for you, your children, or your pets, please don’t go to sleep with an empty stomach. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. I will be more than happy to drop a bag of groceries at your door. I will confidentially drop and go with no direct contact for everyone’s safety. We are all human and we are all in this together,” she wrote.

Others are offering their services to grocery shop for the elderly. One businessman offered to print school worksheets for children who don’t have a printer at home.

#4: Make a no-sew mask to share, or buy them to share. Many people, from children to retirees, have started sewing masks to share with neighbors, healthcare workers, and their families.

You don’t have to sew to be able to do the same. Executive consultant Danielle Galbraith, of Blue Spark Group, and her daughter Saskia, offer these instructions for no-sew masks, perfect for anyone who is handy with duct tape. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you may appreciate this tutorial for a face mask. Or you can purchase masks from a woman-owned small business such as Out-Dorz; if you can, buy in bulk and share with others.

What simple acts of generosity are raising your energy levels and helping your community? Send your ideas to cvdl@ben.edu and we may share them on this website.