Last week BankSouth launched its Paid with Purpose program to support locally owned restaurants in its markets during the coronavirus pandemic. Through the program, which encourages BankSouth customers to use their BankSouth debit cards to pay for meals at locally owned restaurants, BankSouth will donate five percent of a customer’s bill to the restaurant in April and May.

While many businesses, small and large, have been forced to close their doors due to stay-at-home orders and recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the restaurant community continues to serve their customers in other ways. Dining areas have closed, but drive-throughs remain open and delivery and curbside pickup options have been made more available.

“We really commend our local restaurant community for their flexibility during this time. They are a very important sector of our community, and the tenacity they’ve demonstrated to continue providing an essential service we rely on shouldn’t go unnoticed,” said Harold Reynolds, BankSouth Chairman and CEO.

The program took effect April 1, 2020 and will last until May 31, 2020, unless circumstances lead the bank to extend the program. BankSouth’s five percent donation is one of many ways the community bank is offering support to its small business community. They also encourage their customers and the community to continue their support of local businesses by utilizing online services and rescheduling instead of canceling reservations and appointments. Additionally, with a simple use of a debit card, BankSouth hopes that their customers feel like they are doing their part in working to ensure their communities survive the pandemic.

“As a small business ourselves, we understand how supporting our local business owners stimulates our local economy. We hope these next few months give our small business community a little hope during this time as we continue to use our resources to support them,” said Reynolds. “We will come out of this stronger than before,” he continued.

During the pandemic, the community bank has also committed its resources to the Georgia communities it serves in Greensboro, Atlanta, Savannah and Watkinsville by feeding local hospital workers, providing loans to small businesses through the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and donating to non-profit organizations supporting families, veterans and hospitality workers.