When you think ‘kilts,’ you may think Scotland–but you should be thinking Canada. Men In Kilts is a Canadian company that cleans windows and gutters. But now, they’re fighting COVID-19, not just dirt. Different Men in Kilts franchises across Canada are offering delivery of food, prescriptions, and other essentials to the elderly and other people struggling to get essential supplies during this difficult time. What’s more, they’re doing it free of charge. (1)
Good At Being Good
Ben Snow, owner of the Windsor, Ontario franchise saw a need in his community–and he filled it. With 23.9% of the Windsor population over 60 according to the 2016 census, there are a lot of elderly people at risk. Having lived in Windsor for almost two years, I can attest to how difficult the city is to traverse at the best of times. Public transit is often overcrowded and there is no real centralized hub for groceries. Often for me, a non-driver, running errands can take all day. Windsor’s Men In Kilts take money for groceries via online transfer, then deliver the packages to the porches. But their generosity doesn’t stop there. On Friday, March 27, 2020, they planned for 60 deliveries for the Kids First Food Bank. As to why Snow should be the one to step up to the plate? “We just have to focus on what we’re good at,” he says. “That’s being good people, helping out the community.” (2, 3)
“Just Reach Out”
Chris Strong, who owns the Campbell River, British Columbia franchise says that the company is very dedicated to helping by ensuring top-notch hygiene as well. “We’re gloved 100 percent of the time because we are in a business where we are basically washing our hands all the time anyway,” he says. “We understand the necessity of that cleaning.” Approximately 29.6% of the population of Campbell River is over 60 based on the 2016 census. Strong stresses that the only people doing these deliveries have volunteered for it. But he also says that no one has refused to volunteer. “We just want to help our community as much as possible during this time. If there is anything we do to help, just reach out,” he says. (1,4)
“Give As Much As You Can”
While Men In Kilts is not what one might think of as a mega-corporation, there are even smaller businesses that are going above and beyond to serve their communities. Miraj Hossain is the founder of DeliverBae and also a student at the University of Windsor. He has 10 volunteers delivering to at-risk people as well. Although his business is based on a delivery model, he is not charging these people during this time of crisis. Doing so may cost him. Hossain says he faces the possibility of bankruptcy in just two months due to not charging. But for this young man, it’s a small price to pay. “It’s as much as I can give,” he explains. And he asks others to follow in his generous example. “I plead to every business owner. Give as much as you can and help out as much as you can.” (2)
