Trying to make a difference for the unemployed
I betook myself for a walk just after dinner this evening. I walked across the bridge into Fremont and around the block to add a little distance before coming home. The total walk -- there and back home again -- is about 1.75 miles or so. As I passed Blue C Sushi, I once again saw the sign that's been outside the restaurant door for the last week or so. It says something along the lines of "Work at Getty, Adobe, or Google? Come in for lunch with your ID and get 10% off!" This sign has irked me every time I've seen it. Offices for all three of these companies are within just a block or two of the restaurant. The folks working at these companies a) are employed and can afford a lunch out and, b) certainly earn more than the average worker in Seattle; a lunch out for them isn't a particular hardship. I walked past the sign, and then turned around and came back, suggestion on the tip of my tongue.
I walked into the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess. I told her I wasn't there to eat, but that I had a suggestion. I said, "You know, there are a lot of people unemployed right now. Why not offer them -- us -- a 10% discount? We could use the break. Just ask to see their Worksource card or a recent unemployment check stub. I'd be in here more often if it were a little more affordable." She gave me a big grin and told me it was a great idea, that she would talk to her manager about it.
As I walked home, I began thinking about trying to promote this idea to businesses around the city. I'm not sure how one would do that, though I suppose trying to create some sort of grassroots talking campaign might be one way. It just seems to me that all the big corporations around here organize discounts for working people, but unemployed folks don't get perks --or, more properly, any kind of leg up -- from anyone anywhere. It doesn't seem right, when we're the ones who are hurting for cash.
I want to think about this idea more. If anyone has any ideas about ways to promote this idea or businesses that might be good targets for it, let me know. I don't know just how far I'll pursue it, but I want to devote a little brain time to it to see if it could really have legs.
I walked into the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess. I told her I wasn't there to eat, but that I had a suggestion. I said, "You know, there are a lot of people unemployed right now. Why not offer them -- us -- a 10% discount? We could use the break. Just ask to see their Worksource card or a recent unemployment check stub. I'd be in here more often if it were a little more affordable." She gave me a big grin and told me it was a great idea, that she would talk to her manager about it.
As I walked home, I began thinking about trying to promote this idea to businesses around the city. I'm not sure how one would do that, though I suppose trying to create some sort of grassroots talking campaign might be one way. It just seems to me that all the big corporations around here organize discounts for working people, but unemployed folks don't get perks --or, more properly, any kind of leg up -- from anyone anywhere. It doesn't seem right, when we're the ones who are hurting for cash.
I want to think about this idea more. If anyone has any ideas about ways to promote this idea or businesses that might be good targets for it, let me know. I don't know just how far I'll pursue it, but I want to devote a little brain time to it to see if it could really have legs.