How Your Business Can Help Your Area's Economy

Businesses stimulate the economy.

Not only do they provide much-needed products or services and create jobs, but business owners also have a unique opportunity to make an even bigger impact on their community.

Companies, whether corporations or SMEs, should be aware that businesses have a significant influence on the wellbeing of their communities. There should be a commitment to community welfare, as demonstrated through our support of various local organizations. This can be done through in-kind and monetary donations to local nonprofits and charities, while an employee program can also be established, where they volunteer certain hours in a variety of community-based projects.

Below are some organizations we engage with to strengthen our community and boost the local economy.

Arlington Food Bank

Since 1981, the Arlington Community Food Bank has been providing food to children, families, and individuals in need at no cost.

1 in 8 people face hunger in Western Washington, and 1 in 5 are children. A large number of these people live in Arlington.

Arlington Food Bank doesn’t only provide meals for households; they also run a program helping children in need in Arlington public schools.

Hunger doesn’t just make you feel awful, but it can also degrade your health. Children can’t focus on studies while they are hungry, and adults can’t be as productive with an empty stomach. Donating to your local food bank fosters a healthier community that can contribute more effectively to their local economy.

Arlington Rotary Club

Another great way you can help the community is by joining the Arlington Rotary Club. The Arlington Rotary Club brings business and professional leaders together and helps the community through various projects.

The motto of the Rotary Club is “service above self.” Aside from enjoying the fellowship and perks of being a member, joining the various community projects of the Rotary Club is also super fulfilling.

From rebuilding playgrounds to constructing mountain camps, there are countless ways to give back to your community when you’re a part of the Arlington Rotary Club. By supporting education, health, and various community projects, the club fosters a thriving, engaged, and economically stable environment.

Growing Veterans

Growing Veterans is a non-profit organization dedicated to reintegrating veterans through sustainable agriculture.

There are over 400,000 veterans living in Washington, and Arlington itself is home to roughly 2,000 of them.

Veterans leave their homes to serve and protect their country. Many never return, while others only return in body⏤their harsh experiences made them a completely different person.

Growing Veterans provides veterans with an alternative solution to post-traumatic stress (PTS) disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Their peer support system and suicide intervention training also help veterans who may be thinking about taking their life. Rehabilitating and reintegrating veterans into society can help create a larger, more productive workforce.

Sarvey Wildlife

For over 40 years, Sarvey Wildlife has been rescuing, caring for, and releasing wildlife back to their natural habitat. Sarvey Wildlife has a 5-acre rehabilitation center just south of Arlington, which was purchased by its founder, the late Kaye Baxter.

Sarvey Wildlife is a non-profit organization that depends on donations and volunteers. Each year, around 3,000 injured or sick animals are brought to the center. Sarvey Wildlife also assists when there are dangerous animals in populated areas.

Serving the Snohomish, King, Skagit, Pierce, and Island counties (and occasionally patients coming from all over Washington), supporting Sarvey Wildlife is a unique but super helpful way to help your community!

Stillaguamish Senior Center

The Stillaguamish Senior Center, or Stilly Valley Center, was founded in 1970 to help senior citizens get a better life, reduce isolation, and prevent institutionalization.

They host various activities like card games, book clubs, live music, Zumba, and many more. They also have a Family Caregiver Program, which does home visits, provides support groups, and has certified caregiver specialists.

The Stilly Valley Center generates some funds through its store, hall rental, and fundraising drives, but most of the center is run through donations from Snohomish County and the city of Arlington.

Supporting the Stillaguamish Senior Center benefits the local economy by supporting the well-being and independence of senior citizens. The center's activities and programs not only enhance the quality of life for seniors but also reduce the economic burden on healthcare and social services by promoting healthy aging and community involvement.

Wrapping Up

Whether it’s feeding the hungry, volunteering for projects, reinstating veterans, saving wildlife, caring for seniors, or helping anyone who needs assistance, local businesses helping communities are always wonderful for everyone involved.

Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas on where you can start!