By MARO V. TITUS
“Shopping for a cause,” also known as “socially conscious shopping” or the trendier “ShopRaising,” is the process of purchasing goods or services in a way that provides a benefit to a charitable organization or charitable mission. This method of putting retail dollars to work for nonprofit organizations creates a domino giving effect that makes good business sense for merchants while helping those in need. Socially conscious shopping, be it for a service, gift or event, is thriving on the Upper Cape.
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Lo Adoro Italian Market is a new addition to Russell’s Corner on Jarves Street in Sandwich.
When we think about businesses, usually thoughts turn to markups, merchandise and profit margins. For many Upper Cape businesses, we must add philanthropy to that list. Despite the struggles of seasonality fluctuations and, more recently, pandemic-related struggles, local merchants remain focused on “paying it forward.” This article highlights just a few admirable
MARO V. TITUS
Lo Adoro owner David Whynot at his new location in Russell’s Corner, Sandwich.
examples of charitable giving, but the opportunities are endless. For a comprehensive list of nonprofit organizations throughout the Cape, visit the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce website at www.capecodchamber.org.
Individuals often seek to do more, so the possibility of checking a gift off the holiday list and helping a charity simultaneously is quite appealing. “I love to shop local, and it’s admirable for the businesses to give back to the community,” proclaims Marie Oliva, president and chief executive officer of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce. One business devoted entirely to charitable giving is Hope Restored in North Falmouth. A ministry of the Heritage Christian Church in East Falmouth, Hope Restored is an upcycle home goods store whose proceeds go to various nonprofit organizations on a rotating basis. In November Hope Restored profits will go to the Samaritans of Cape Cod and the Islands. Information on making donations either directly or through an in-store purchase may be found at www.hcconcapecod.com/hope-restored.
According to Denise Dever, executive director of the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce, businesses did not start or stop their charitable giving during the
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Smith Family Popcorn in Mashpee Commons opened just as the pandemic hit.
pandemic. “A lot of businesses rallied because of COVID and thereafter there’s so much more of a sense of community,” she said. Ms. Dever explained that Chamber members maintain charitable giving programs, including Cape Cod 5, the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and Tomatoes Italian Grill. In Sandwich, that sense of community also comes packaged with homemade short rib ravioli and other Italian delicacies. Lo Adoro Italian Market on Main Street in Sandwich humbly maintains an expansive philanthropic presence in town.
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Smith Family Popcorn in Mashpee Commons
Owner David Whynot bought the business 18 months ago at the onset of the pandemic, renaming it Lo Adoro after extensive conversations with loyal customers. After hearing several times “I love it,” Mr. Whynot learned the Italian translation and a new branding was born. The new Russell’s Corner location opened in October. In addition to inspiring the name, one of the regular customers also worked at the Sandwich Food Pantry, and he mentioned the toilet paper shortage they were experiencing, not unlike other big box stores at the time. For the next eight weeks, Mr. Whynot donated a case to the Food Pantry, continuously expanding his offering through a collection box by the register and online requests for donations and raffling off food baskets. In 2020, Lo Adoro collected $2,000 from customer donations. A passionate advocate for children in foster care, Mr. Whynot also did a “pencils to backpacks” collection for foster care children at the onset of this school year. Lo Adoro also engages in cash-matching efforts for customer donations, does joint fundraisers with Gifted Crate (www.thegiftedcrate.org), which provides a custom birthday-in-a-box for children and teens in foster care throughout Massachusetts. This caring owner subscribes to a “build a longer table not a higher fence” philosophy. “I’ve always believed that a successful business has an obligation to give back to the community that supports it,” he said. From Adirondack chairs for the Sandwich Art Alliance to the boards of Gnome Surf, Lo Adoro is an active philanthropic business. “I’ve had people talk about other stores in town that do fundraising; no one has ever been surprised. What’s always struck me about people in Sandwich is how quickly they rally when there’s need,” he said.
MARO V. TITUS
Co-owner Dan Smith and popcorn mixmaster Alex Pimentel serve up hearty helpings at Smith Family Popcorn in Mashpee.
A notable example of people rallying is reflected in the mission of Wings For Falmouth Families (WFFF). This organization is a community-based charity that provides financial assistance to local families experiencing a medical crisis or tragic event. A quick glance at its corporate partners list illustrates businesses paying it forward. Several area restaurants and other businesses, including Paine’s Patio in Pocasset, Flynnie’s Bar 3 and Quahog Republic Dive Bar, both in Falmouth, sponsored parties for a purpose and support WFFF with proceeds from those events.
Some owners incorporate charitable giving levels into their success calculations. “I wanted to donate $1 million to charities throughout the Cape,” said Dan Smith, co-owner of Smith Family Popcorn in Mashpee and Hyannis. “It’s a good barometer to judge our business by how much can we give away.” Since opening their first store in Hyannis in 2018, Dan and his brother Pat have contributed $30,000 to local charities. The two brothers who grew up in Sandwich call it Popcorn with a Purpose. Based on lessons learned from their grandfather, they began their charitable mission with Heroes In Transition, a nonprofit organization that provides home modifications, group therapy, service dogs and financial support to veterans in need. Since opening their doors, their recipient list expanded dramatically, the Smith family has highlighted 29 different charities, including Cape Abilities, the Cape Cod Toy Library and Dream Day on Cape Cod. With every purchase made at Smith Family Popcorn, customers are given the choice of two charities to which 5 percent of the proceeds from that purchase will go.
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Spin the wheel at Smith Family Popcorn in Mashpee Commons and maybe win a free bag of popcorn.
Feedback from the customers usually includes one of two responses: “that’s cool” or “that’s a hard choice.” The experience is fun for conscientious adults as well as children who enjoy spinning the free popcorn wheel that Dan, a former architect-turned-popcorn master designed himself. The blue lazy susan on the wall has one core criteria, Mr. Smith said, “what’s the largest bag someone can carry?” The next time you see a small child carrying a 10-gallon bag of delicious popcorn through the streets of Mashpee Commons, you can feel good about the altruistic efforts in every kernel!
Buy Local is a closely held belief for Cape residents. Next time you need to procure goods and services, think of it as “Buy Local, Make A Difference” and your purchase just might.