AMHERST — A $5,000 donation from a Hadley financial planning company and a $1,000 contribution from BankESB are allowing the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce to increase the value of holiday gift cards, and the investment residents can make in the local economy.
Beginning on Friday, people are able to purchase $25 gift cards with a $1 processing fee that will be doubled in value as a result of the matches. An individual is limited to buying two $25 gift cards.
The matched gift cards will be sold only at the Visitor Information Center, at 35 South Pleasant St., which is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Molly Keegan, co-owner of Curran & Keegan financial advisers, said her company’s gift is aimed at encouraging more local shopping.
“Forget the big mail-order Internet retailers and embrace the joy of shopping in our friends’ and neighbors’ stores,” Keegan said.
The gift cards can be used at 32 local businesses, including retail shops like Zanna, The Toy Box and Provisions; restaurants including Pasta e Basta, Osteria Vespa and The Works Bakery and Cafe; and service-oriented places, such as Amherst Dog Wash, Global Cuts and The Lift Salon.
The contributions come as COVID-19 challenges remain for businesses, said Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the chamber, in a statement.
“The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce launched the gift card program at the height of our pandemic in an effort to buoy them and help them keep their doors open,” Pazmany said. “As severe understaffing continues to plague our businesses, we knew we had to activate the purchase power of buying local.”
The program is similar to one launched by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce following a $10,000 donation from Scott and Jill Keiter of Keiter Builders.
Those who purchase the Amherst gift cards, while the match lasts, will receive two red tickets toward the Red Ticket drawing for four $250 cash prizes and one $1,000 cash prize. That drawing will be held Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at Kendrick Park.
