SACRAMENTO, Calif.–SAFE Credit Union has become the first business partner to sign on with an effort to promote local businesses. SAFE is providing both funds and marketing assistance for the “100 Local Pledge” campaign.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Vice-Mayor Jeff Harris are co-chairing the initiative with Inside Sacramento Publisher Cecily Hastings, who launched the effort in March.
"Our small businesses create the character of our communities and form a large part of our economic base," said Steinberg. "Many of them are now struggling or are even faced with closure. We need to support them now to make sure they are still here when this is over."
Hastings launched the initiative after shelter-in-place orders led to the immediate closure of thousands of businesses in the Greater Sacramento region. It started as a grass-roots movement that invited businesses to post the signs, as well as pose with the pledge signs and post the images to social media.
The initiative encourages people to shop at all businesses located in the Sacramento region, not just those locally owned. As she sought to expand the program, she reached out to the Mayor's Office, Councilmember Harris, and SAFE Credit Union for additional support, according to officials.
‘Important Opportunity’
"We see this as an important opportunity to help businesses in the community," said SAFE Credit Union President and CEO Dave Roughton. "SAFE joins others in our industry in showing strong leadership in helping our communities weather the impact of COVID-19. As one of the few credit unions in the Greater Sacramento region that also offers business banking services and commercial lending, we stand in support of our business members. SAFE Credit Union supports the Shop 100% Local Pledge and we encourage other businesses to join us. Right now, we can make a difference – but we have to work together. Things may have felt a little out of control. But we – together – can take back the future of our region by taking the pledge.”
In an additional show of support for those shopping local, during May and June SAFE Credit Union announced it is providing 5% cash back to SAFE Cash Rewards Visa cardholders for all purchases made at grocery stores and restaurants as well as food delivery services.
The $3-bilion SAFE has more than 236,000 members.