Main Street Barberton prepares for season of gratitude

By EMILY CANNING-DEAN

BGNN staff writer

BARBERTON  With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, Main Street Barberton is providing opportunities for giving that will benefit multiple local nonprofits.

“This is our first year doing this and there are basically two parts to it,” said Melanie Black Amato, executive director of Main Street Barberton. “The first part is our 20 Days of Gratitude which starts Nov. 9. Select businesses that want to participate will be collecting items for four of our local nonprofits including the Salvation Army, Barberton Area Community Ministries, Friends in Tents and Common Threads Closet.”

Items being collected include canned meat, canned vegetables, cereal, dog and cat food, soap,

Chapstick, toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets, can openers, leashes and new socks and coats. These items can be dropped off at any participating business through Nov. 28.

Participating businesses include Tusk, Ignite Brewing Co., Erin’s Salon, Fly Designs by Misty, BLT, Daly’s Appliance, El Tule, Blow Beauty, Block 7, Hannah’s Antique, Kave Coffee Bar, Flowers Galore & More, White Rabbit Galleries, Sydmor’s Pregame Tavern, Fabric & Freight, Al’s Corner Restaurant and Al’s Quality Market.

“Our purpose is to provide donations to nonprofits that are local to Barberton while also leveraging our local businesses by utilizing them as a drop off point,” Amato said. “It gives people an opportunity to visit their favorite businesses and also check out new businesses they aren’t familiar with.”

Amato said the second component of this initiative is the opportunity to show gratitude for the participating businesses. All businesses serving as a drop off point will have Post-It notes available and customers can write on a Post-It note something they love about the business.

“It could be something about their great coffee or food or products,” Amato said. “Or it could be the service or attention they receive when at the business. Each business will display the notes on a wall or a window and can arrange them to make a heart or a smiley face. It is an opportunity for the  business to hear how they are benefiting the community and a chance to show them some gratitude and let them know how much they are loved and supported.”

Amato said anyone interested in donating or participating can find more information on the Main Street Barberton Facebook page.

“I would love to do this every year,” she said. “I think we sometimes forget about these wonderful local businesses pumping out amazing products and services and this allows us a chance to show gratitude and also an opportunity to give back to the community.”