Instead of Panic Buying, Panic Donate! An innovative new charity platform is allowing consumers to give back by “shopping”.
In the last months people have seen bare shop shelves, fights in supermarkets, and stampedes for household staples as a result of COVID-19. Newly launched initiative Panic Donate, is encouraging consumers to switch from real life panic buying to online “shopping” to raise money for charities, responding to and impacted by the current crisis.
Founded by Jack Andrews, Panic Donate is an alternative way to build awareness and raise money for charities. The feel good platform allows the public to choose the equivalent cost of their kitchen staples such as bread, milk and butter to be donated as cash to their preferred charity. With tongue-in-cheek messaging, consumers can opt to “shop” ‘calmly’ or in ‘panic-mode’ adding a lighthearted twist to the process.
“We wanted to create something that would cut-through all the noise and counterweight all the doom and gloom. We wanted to show people that the spirit of giving, and of community, are still alive and well,” says Andrews.
Panic Donate went from idea to launch in a week and a half. In that time wire frames were built, illustrations drawn, payments and socials set up, and 50 charities were contacted from around the world. “We focused on charities in areas that are being hit hard by this pandemic: mental health services, the arts, food distribution, and domestic violence services. Along with the charities addressing specific needs, we chose two international partners: UNICEF and the IFRC, who are coordinating global responses,” says Andrews.
With the platform now live, the public can jump online and donate to key local and international charities including food rescue organisation, OzHarvest and Support Act, a charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, crew and music workers as a result of ill health, injury, a mental health problem, or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music. So, instead of panic buying during this pandemic, head online to Panic Donate!
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