5 B.C. businesses doing good during COVID-19: Free shoes, cookies galore and much more

Credit: Courtesy of Miki Rai

U.S. registered nurse and health and lifestyle influencer Miki Rai sports a pair of shoes donated by Vancouver-based Vessi Footwear, which has been supporting health-care workers in Canada and stateside

Our new series celebrates local companies that are stepping up to help others

Whether you’re turning on the radio or chatting with a friend, COVID-19 and its impact are everywhere. The doom and gloom surrounding the pandemic are tough to avoid, let alone navigate a business through. COVID-19 has brought a world of change and uncertainty for all of us, but it’s also launched an inspiring movement of B.C. companies doing good. Businesses of all sizes and from every industry are stepping up—showing us that even during the worst of times, there’s always good news.

In this new weekly series, BCBusiness celebrates companies that have gone above and beyond to support the community and our health-care professionals. To everyone who is working on the front lines during these trying times, we sincerely thank you for your efforts.

Here are five businesses that are making a difference.

Granted Consulting  

In the wake of the devastating financial blow that COVID-19 has dealt to small businesses and foundations, Vancouver-based grant consulting outfit Granted has set up an online resource centre that includes a free grant self-assessment tool. To ensure that the information presented is clear and accurate, the company is staying in touch with its government contacts. Thinking about applying for a grant? Find all the answers you need here.

Joseph Richard Group

Joseph Richard Group (JRG) operates more than 25 restaurants, bars and pubs across the Lower Mainland, employing hundreds of workers. After having to close the dine-in portion of its business, JRG wants to take care of its team. To that end, the Surrey-headquartered company is selling gift cards online, with net profits going toward keeping staff paid and working as much as possible. All locations are still serving food via Skip the Dishes and take-out. You can support JRG team members by purchasing a gift card here.

LNG Studios

LNG describes itself as a creative visualization agency specializing in virtual reality, architecture and real estate. The company, led by Leon Ng, has shifted from printing 3D renderings to producing face shields for health-care workers. Using an open-source design, LNG prints 60 shields a day at its downtown Vancouver HQ. The company has partnered with five hospitals, providing as much equipment as it physically can. Acknowledging the desperate need for more gear, LNG has also put out a call for all businesses with access to 3D printing technology to join forces. Learn more by visiting the company’s GoFundMe page, which has almost achieved its $25,000 goal. 

London Drugs 

Richmond-headquartered London Drugs has teamed up with the local Girl Guides community to sell 800,000 boxes of cookies. B.C. residents can now buy cookies directly from the retailer’s many locations, allowing thousands of Girl Guides to stay home and practise physical distancing while still hitting their sales goals. Proceeds go toward supporting Girl Guides programs throughout the province. Besides offering in-store sales, London Drugs will work with Girl Guides of Canada to get their cookies distributed across the country. Support your local Girl Guides by picking up a box today.

Vessi Footwear

Online retailer Vessi, based in Vancouver, makes waterproof knitted footwear. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company gave 1,000 pairs of its shoes to health-care workers on the front lines. It followed this generous donation with a commitment to purchase 30,000 medical masks for Canadian and U.S. organizations. Vessi has also launched a discount pricing strategy that donates profits to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) at local hospitals. To learn more about its efforts and to order a pair of shoes, click here.

If you know a B.C. business that is going above and beyond to help others during the pandemic, drop us a line! We’d love to feature them in this weekly series. Please email darian@jellymarketing.com