3 STORIES TO MAKE YOU SMILE IN A TIME OF COVID-19

So far, we can all say with confidence that 2020 has not been the year we were hoping for. These past few weeks have tested our resiliency in many ways, but it also brought out some of our best qualities and revealed some silver linings. Here are three stories that will guarantee warm and fuzzy feelings:

• 1. Our Spud drivers have been receiving thank you letters from customers

Members of our delivery team continue to share photos of amazing notes left by customers with the rest of the company. These notes have lightened the spirits of our delivery and warehouse teams as they continue to put themselves at risk to serve our community. These messages also motivate our team members who are working from home to keep working as hard as they can to provide the best service as possible. Thank you to all of our customers who have left us notes- they mean so much to us!

• 2. Social Distancing Has Environmental Benefits

Recent reports indicate that greenhouse gas emissions have been significantly reduced and air quality has improved as production slows down and transportation comes to an almost complete standstill. While the United Nations warns that this temporary change in emissions will not have a long lasting impact on the environment, it may inspire long term behavior change. For example, perhaps social distancing will show businesses and governments that more meetings can be held virtually, rather than asking participants to commute to a certain location.

• 3. Local communities are coming together

As social distancing measures become increasingly more strict, many small businesses are getting creative for how they can support their community or collaborate with other local companies. At Spud, we have partnered with six local businesses who have had to temporarily close their operations. They have been helping us with deliveries which we are so grateful for! Other businesses are shifting their main operation completely in order to best serve their community, like many distilleries throughout B.C.and Alberta who are now making hand sanitizer instead of beer!