Small Choices You Can Make to Support Small Businesses This Holiday Season

With the Coronavirus still lingering here in the US, your 2020 Thanksgiving probably looks a little different than it has in years past. With many states still urging residents not to travel this holiday season, families are instead hunkering down and keeping gatherings to a minimum.

When planning your meal this year, why not support a local business. Not quite sure how? Take a look at these 4 simple ways that can help make a difference in your community.

1. Support local food markets

Skip the large chain supermarkets and support your local food markets and delis when buying your Thanksgiving Day necessities.  Want to feel extra good about switching to the smaller market this year? Markets usually buy their produce and meat from local farmers, making it a two-for-one special in supporting small businesses! Need another reason?  Depending on the store, some markets may also offer household items you might need to restock on – yes, even toilet paper!

2. Support local bakeries

It’s not Thanksgiving until you bring out the pies for dessert. Luckily, your local bakery can take on the pressure of cooking it to perfection this year. Ordering pies ahead of time and picking them up before, keeps the preparation easy for you on the big day. The pie you buy today, keeps the bakery in business tomorrow.

3. Switch it up this year

If there’s a year to switch up your Thanksgiving Day meal, 2020 is it. Maybe your family doesn’t really love turkey and the mashed potatoes are always a slow mover. Why not take a vote and order takeout from your favorite local restaurant this year. A Thanksgiving without the stress of preparing the food yourself might just be what your family needs.

4. Shop smart

Start your shopping for the holidays by taking a walk downtown and visiting your local shops. We offer 1% cash back on purchases you make using your Rewards debit card. With Hanukkah and Christmas right around the corner why not shop locally for presents and use your Rewards debit card so it’s rewarding for both you and the small businesses.

Own a small business yourself? Make sure to check out our Tailored checking accounts that provide business owners with an enhanced online business banking experience.

The Debit Card Rewards Program (Cash Back Rewards) will provide 1.00% cash-back on all Qualified Purchases made by eligible Rewards Checking account holders if the account holder does any of the following; meet the requirements, is grandfathered in, or keeps an average balance of $2,500 or greater within the calendar month in their Rewards Checking Account, or receives total deposits of $2,500 or more in their Rewards Checking account via qualifying Direct Deposit within the month. Qualifying Direct Deposits are Automated Clearing House (ACH) credits, which may include payroll, pension or government payments (such as Social Security) by your employer, or an outside agency. LendingClub Bank may require documentation to verify that credits are Qualifying Direct Deposits. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) to you that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax adviser, as LendingClub Bank does not provide tax advice. Qualified Purchases include signature-based purchases made with a LendingClub Bank issued Debit Card tied to a Rewards Checking account enrolled in the Debit Card Rewards program. These are “credit” purchases that can be made in stores and online. To make a signature-based purchase, select “credit” rather than debit at point-of-sale kiosks. The “credit” option is most often pre-selected when making purchases online using a debit card. Online subscription payments may not be considered signature-based purchases. The payment transaction type (signature-based or other) is ultimately decided by the merchant and how the transaction is transmitted to LendingClub Bank at the time of processing. We reserve the right to determine if a transaction was a Qualified Purchase, and to establish additional types of Qualified Purchases that could be made available in a variety of ways. Any goods or services purchased with the LendingClub Bank issued Debit Card that are returned or otherwise credited to your Account are not qualified purchases. Unlawful purchases and purchases of currency, cash or cash equivalents (including, without limitation, currency from the U.S. Mint, Travelers Cheques, gift cards, Cryptocurrency, Casino Chips, Peer to Peer Payments, prepaid debit cards, account openings, loan payments, or other cash equivalents) made with your LendingClub Bank issued Bank Debit Card are not Qualified Purchases. We may require you to provide documentation to validate that certain purchases are Qualified Purchases. LendingClub Bank reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time. Your enrolled account must remain open, active, and in good standing to participate in the program, meaning: No NSF (non-sufficient funds) items during the preceding twelve calendar months in your checking account (regardless of the type of checking account). An eFunds check must show no negative history in the preceding twelve months and all monthly servicing fees must have been paid in full for the 12 preceding months. LendingClub Bank reserves the right to modify the description of “good standing” at any time. If you or the Bank closes your account for any reason before the end of the statement cycle, you will forfeit all rewards accrued through your linked Debit Card during that statement cycle.