MONROE, CT — A Monroe, CT Residents Facebook page promotion garnered support for town businesses, while raising $6,400 for the Monroe Food Pantry.
Barbara Fahr, an administrator for the page, said 249 participants patronized 111 Monroe businesses, before checking in on the Facebook page with the hashtags #doyourbusinessinMonroe and #feedyourneighbor.
“Thank you to all!” Fahr said in a Facebook post. “This doesn’t mean we should stop doing our business in Monroe. Our business community still needs your support. Feel free to keep posting and sharing your business activities with the members of this group.”
A $10 donation to the food pantry was made for each entry. An anonymous donor pledged $5,000, Jensen Tire, Auto & Marine and John Rodrigues Insurance Associates donated $500 each, and private citizens donated $375. Then another anonymous donor gave $25.
The amount may still grow.
If the first 40 parents to sign their kids up for Knepler Driving School’s online classes post a picture on Monroe, CT Residents with the hashtags, the school will donate $20 per post (a total of $800) to the food pantry.
Of the 111 businesses represented, two were Monroe’s newest ones, which opened during the social media campaign: Monroe Pack and Ship on Main Street and Gardenfolk, according to Fahr.
Businesses receiving the most posts from clients were Benedict’s Home and Garden, Peking Tokyo, Sakana Sushi, Big Y World Class Market, Bella Rosa Pizzaria Ristorante, McGowan’s Pizzaland, Carl Anthony’s Trattoria and Terra Cafe.
Fahr said three of the businesses represented were Monroe-owned, but based in other towns: Planet Pizza Norwalk, Fryborg in Devon, and DrewbaQ in Trumbull.
Drawings for gift cards
On Tuesday, Fahr will pick up gift cards for residents who participated in the promotion. Drawings will be held to decide the winners. The gift certificates were donated by local businesses.
She said Vazzy’s Osteria and Cardsmart donated gift cards to be awarded to 10 lucky winners.
“A special thank you to the generous resident donors and business sponsors for making this campaign possible: Eddie Jensen of Jensen’s Automotive, John Rodrigues Insurance and Knepler Driving School,” Fahr said.
Fahr has heard positive public feedback for the campaign, which she started on April 27 to raise awareness of town businesses and stock the shelves of the Monroe Food Pantry amid rising demand during the global coronavirus pandemic.
“Because of these posts, it has made me more conscious to do my business in Monroe before going to big box stores,” said Shauna Rogg. “Thank you for what you are doing for our community!”
Melissa Marti-Signor, owner of Lakeside Nutrition in Clock Tower Square on Main Street, wrote, “thank you so much! All the support from Monroe #doyourbusinessinmonroe has been great! It is so appreciated.”
