I’m not sure about where you live, but in my area families are struggling to put food on the table. Most recently, 100 families showed up to the food pantry because they desperately needed the help. At this moment, it’s hard all over the country. I’ve heard stories of parents getting a second job and working third shift just to make ends meet. Boutiques in town are putting out donation coolers with food and asking the community to help with supplies. What can we do, as a radio community, to help those who have to resort to donations?
First of all, go into this “promotion” with an open mind. If you aren’t one of the unfortunate ones, be thankful, but be understanding. It’s very hard for some to accept help, let alone ask for help. We have to be careful in how we execute a promotion where donations are involved. We need to spin it to make it exciting and not depressing. This eliminates writing in about a family who’s in need, or taking stories to read on the air. We need to find a way to help someone but not let them know we’re helping them…if that makes sense.
You are going to give away grocery shopping sprees. but make it like the old 80s gameshow SuperMarket Sweep! Partner with a local grocery store to provide as many shopping sprees as you can. Entering to win is where it will get tricky because we want to make sure it’s a family in need. You are going to ask for nominations. They cannot nominate themselves. You want people to fill out a form online about why this family is DESERVING of this shopping spree…not why they NEED the shopping spree. Runners-up will receive $100 grocery gift cards.
The day of the shopping spree have the winners meet at the grocery store. Each family will start at the starting line with one grocery cart. Only two people can represent the family. They have a specific amount of time to complete their shopping spree and be back at the checkout. You can decide how much time you want to give them. Continue to let them know how much time is left for their spree by using the overhead system.
Rules:
One grocery cart per family.
Two representatives for that family.
Must be back at the checkout when the buzzer goes off.
It’s up to you if you will allow listeners inside the store, obviously behind the checkouts so they don’t interfere with the shopping spree, or if you want them to stay outside during the spree.
Some things to think about:
- When talking about their nomination, pick out details that don’t suggest they are hurting financially.
- This is going to be a big promotion requiring a lot of funds. HOWEVER, if you can gather sponsors, such as banks and dealerships, who will donate money towards the groceries that would help immensely. Sales, this may be a promotion where the cost of the sponsorship goes towards the shopping spree. We are heading into the holiday season so I would assume you wouldn’t scrooge out on this. It’s time for us to lend a helping hand.
- It’s up to you whether you want TV there. Again, I can’t stress this enough, “we are not helping needy families.” We are rewarding families who were nominated.
I think this could be a huge way to give back to the community. This could be a building wide promotion involving all your sister stations as well. Make it as big or small as you want, but it would be really wonderful to do something for your community this holiday season.