Retailers, grocers, food producers and other businesses across Maine are asking the public to practice kindness and respect toward workers and each other as shops, restaurants and other locations continue reopening following the unprecedented shutdown caused by COVID-19.
The Retail Association of Maine, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association came together to develop the statewide campaign based on their observations of consumer behavior at essential businesses throughout the pandemic and as businesses began to reopen. They noticed that many customers were coming into businesses, ignoring mask-wearing requirements and sometimes harassing store employees who attempted to enforce the rules put in place according to Maine CDC guidelines and the governor’s executive orders.
Christine Cummings, Executive Director of the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association, noted, “Front-line employees have been essential to keeping our member businesses open and running throughout the pandemic. We owe them a debt of gratitude, not harassment when they ask customers to follow guidelines such as wearing a face covering and maintaining safe social distancing—they are working to keep us all safe.”
The “Let’s Be Kind” statewide campaign will kick off today with a social media campaign along with posters in businesses and on July 6 public service announcements will begin airing on television stations across the state. The campaign’s tagline—Doing Business Differently Helps Keep Maine Safe—is intended to reinforce the importance of making simple adjustments to everyone’s daily shopping and dining habits in order to protect workers and each other.
We encourage you to help share the message!
Campaign Tool Kit
Download the Press Release
Download + Print the Posters (11×17 PDF or 8×10 PDF)
Join our kindness movement. Add the colorful posters to your storefront doors, counters and throughout your business, as a reminder that these simple acts help us all move forward in this new normal. Planning ahead, taking precautions, and respecting everyone as we shop, dine and interact ensures Mainers are safer, healthier and happier.
Download + Post the Social Media Graphics (Save the Zipped graphics folder)
Let’s make kindness viral. Share these graphics on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Use the images, include the messaging ‘Let’s Be Kind’ and ‘Doing Business Differently Helps Keep Maine Safe’ in your posts and customize the campaign with what makes you unique. We encourage you to show us how you’re taking precautions, what you’ve done to make shopping easier and positive stories from your staff and customers.
#bekind #takeprecautions #planahead #respecteveryone #shopme #payitforwardmaine #mefood #letsbekindmaine
Stay tuned for future social media campaign videos to share!
