Dermacare, a medical spa in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake, recently coordinated a donation of $1,765 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. To generate this donation they used a unique combination of a corporate pledge, crowdfunding and a commitment to match the crowdfunding.
In response to food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries all across America claiming dramatic increases in demand and food instabilities while experiencing low and dwindling food supplies, Dermacare made an initial pledge of $500. Dermacare also set up a crowdfunding campaign, Stock The Foodbank Shelves, on GoFundMe and offered to match the campaign donation, dollar for dollar, up to $500. The GoFundMe campaign generated $765 from patients, friends, fans and team
members.
“When COVID hit, we saw appeals on the news for food donations in Hampton Roads and we felt compelled to do something about it,” said Leon Garber, CEO of Dermacare. “We heard from many patients and friends that they also wanted to participate in something local, so we added the crowdfunding to encourage being part of a larger donation.”