Restaurants and retailers across the city will join together May 27 for a community-wide giving event called Good. Works. Alexandria. The single day initiative aims to drive customers to local businesses, who have been forced to close or operate under strict limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosted by the small businesses of Alexandria, restaurants and retailers will donate a percentage of their May 27 sales to the charity of each customer’s choice. Nonprofits will receive up to 20 percent of each purchase depending on the donation level set by each business.

“The nonprofit and small business communities have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown,” said Old Town Business representative Charlotte Hall. “This is a way for Alexandrians to support both the business community and local nonprofits just by shopping and dining locally on May 27.”

The Good. Works. Alexandria. event is the brainchild of Penny Post and Red Barn Mercantile owner Amy Rutherford, in partnership with ACT for Alexandria.

Coming two days before restrictions are expected to ease in Northern Virginia, the event will operate similar to the recent Spring2 ACTion day, which raised more than $2 million for local nonprofits last month. When checking out or ordering from a participating retailer or restaurant, mention the nonprofit organization of your choice to receive a percentage of the sale.

For more information and a complete list of participating businesses, visit http://www.oldtownbusiness.org/good-works-alexandria/