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Date: 3/31/2021
NORTHAMPTON – A movement known as the 413 Takeout Pledge has been created in an effort to assist restaurants in Northampton, during the pandemic.
Amy Cahillane, executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association said, “This began as a conversation over the winter months and holidays. Restaurants have had a challenging time during COVID and we were trying to come up with something to carry them through the dreary time frame before outdoor seating opened.”
Through a joint effort, Cahillane and the Economic Development Committee of the Chamber of Commerce were able to establish the pledge.
The pledge began Feb. 14 and will last until May 14. The purpose is to encourage people to make a point to get take out food and drinks from local resaurants, said Cahillane.
She said, “Everything counts. Even if it’s just a coffee from Familiars; anything.”
To sign up for the pledge, visit northampton.live. Interested parties will be asked to fill out their name, email, and commit to getting take out once a week for three months, Cahillane explained. Participants are able to share how it’s going, along with a chance to win gift cards to restaurants and Northampton gift cards for participating locations, said Cahillane.
So far, over 200 families have signed the pledge.
“Restaurants have seen an uptick in orders,” claimed Cahillane.
Caroline Gear, executive director of the International Language Institute, agreed, saying, “Anything that can bring in additional income to our local restaurants has to be counted as successful.”
Gear went on to say, “We all should be thinking how we can keep our money local. The folks that work in these restaurants are our neighbors and we need to support them. And as the posters in local Northampton businesses say: If you shop local, $68 of every $100 spent returns to our community. If you shop at a national chain, only $43 of every $100 returns to our community. If you shop online, not a penny returns to our community. We have to put our money where our heart is and shop local.”
Additionally, there is a charitable component to the pledge. A group of community members have joined together and pledged to donate $10 to the Feed the Frontlines/Community Food Distribution partnership, up to a total of $5,000. These funds will then be used to pay Northampton-based restaurants to assist them in preparing takeout meals for members in the community who are experiencing food insecurity. Cahillane said, this enables everyone to take part in the 413 Takeout.
The pledge has been advertised through social media, such as the city’s Facebook page, newspapers and radio coverage.
Gear concluded, “People should continue to take the pledge and continue to shop locally and support not only our restaurants, but all of our local businesses.”