Guest Commentary | Local businesses can make a difference through United Way’s Gifts in Kind Program
Companies of all sizes across all industries can be successful in the marketplace, but there’s one element in which small businesses have a distinct advantage — they recognize the value of community.
Small business owners live and work in the same community as their customers, which presents a unique opportunity for these individuals to keep a pulse on the region’s greatest needs.
Not every business leader, however, knows how to get involved or reach their neighbors who need help. For example, many families across the region are still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Their battles with insurers were unsuccessful, and with limited financial means, they weren’t able to repair their properties. So, they began living with concrete slabs for floors, a constant reminder of the trauma they endured when their homes flooded and possessions were ruined.
Meanwhile, our company, Taylor Carpet One, had unused carpet remnants in its warehouse.
That’s where United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades entered the picture. United Way partners with retailers, distributors and suppliers through its Gifts in Kind Program, which redistributes items to families in need across Southwest Florida through a network of 90+ nonprofit partner agencies. Taylor Carpet One registered for the Gifts in Kind Program, and began putting carpet remnants into the homes of families who needed flooring for children’s bedrooms, living rooms and shared spaces so families — our neighbors — could begin to feel whole again after that devastating storm. As a business owner, it is incredibly satisfying to help families bring a sense of normalcy back into their lives.
United Way has been an invaluable partner in making this effort effective and impactful. The organization’s deep understanding of community needs, combined with its trusted network of nonprofit agencies, ensures donations from local businesses are distributed quickly and thoughtfully. Despite its deep roots in the community, Taylor Carpet One would not know which families need help… but United Way knows. The Gifts in Kind Program provides a mechanism for businesses to support families in our community.
Our local United Way relies on the generosity of many great corporate partners, but local businesses are its heart and soul. These small businesses and family-owned companies are well-positioned to support families who have struggled in recent years. In fact, local businesses have a responsibility to be good community partners and United Way is the conduit to facilitate that support. For our team, the Gifts in Kind Program allows us to reduce waste while maximizing impact. It’s a practical solution with a deep human outcome, and that balance matters to us.
To learn more about the Gifts in Kind Program, please visit UnitedWayLee.org/in-kind-donations.
John Taylor is a third-generation owner of Taylor Carpet One, which his grandfather founded in Southwest Florida nearly 70 years ago.