Frequently Asked Questions
This program was created by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Golden Belt Community Foundation, and United Way of Central Kansas. Together, we saw a need to help both small businesses and families in need in Barton County, and this matching program creates that double impact. We are proud to partner to bolster the recovery of our loved places and people.
Simple. Buy a gift card from a participating local business and a matching gift will be made by the Dorothy M Morrison Foundation through the Golden Belt Community Foundation, for Barton County individuals and families affected by the crisis.
So, if you spend $100 on a gift card at your favorite local small business, a nonprofit agency will help a local family in need by utilizing the dollar for dollar matching funds to lessen the impact of this crisis.
Why are you supporting hospitality, retail and service businesses?
There is no doubt that the economic devastation from this shutdown of our economy, both locally and nationally, is creating exceedingly difficult times for businesses of all industries. We chose to support hospitality, retail, and service-oriented businesses through this program because these businesses have been disproportionately affected by the restrictions on group gatherings. These businesses play a huge role in supporting our overall quality of life in Barton County, and they need our help.
Where is the matching money coming from?
The first $10,000 dollar-for-dollar match has been donated by Dorothy M Morrison Foundation through the Golden Belt Community Foundation, for the people of Barton County. Golden Belt Community Foundation enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about, immediately or through their will. Donors can establish a charitable fund at the Foundation by contributing a variety of assets and may also recommend grants—in their name, if they choose—to nonprofit groups they want to support.
Of course! If you would like to make a monetary donation to help with unmet needs, provided by local nonprofit agencies to families in Barton County who have been impacted by this crisis you can donate in care of “Barton Strong: Shop Small, Give Big” by contacting the Golden Belt Community Foundation or United Way of Central Kansas or visiting their websites.
Yes, we are only selling the gift cards online! You will buy them from our website and then pick up and redeem them at your favorite store after the social distancing period is over.
The business(es) you purchased the gift card from will contact you, using the information provided at time of purchase, to fulfill your purchase. Please wait for the business to contact you before attempting to pick up your gift card.
We cannot control national, state, or local bans or restrictions on business operations. We also cannot control the business and when they will be open for business. Please expect delays in receiving your physical gift card/certificate and only collect your gift card/certificate once it has been safe/appropriate to do so!
The unfortunate news is that we could possibly see businesses in Barton County permanently close as a result of this global pandemic and ensuing recession. We hope knowing that you tried to support your favorite local businesses while meeting your neighbors’ basic needs and shelter is enough to compel you to participate. If a business closes, your gift card may be deemed unusable by that business. There are no refunds offered as a part of this community support program.
Absolutely! When the business contacts you to arrange for fulfillment of your gift card purchase, you can notify the business of your intention to gift the gift card and they may be able to mail to the recipient. Alternatively, you may pick up the gift card yourself from the business and then give the physical gift card to your recipient.
Yes! Follow the suggestions of the CDC and our government! We must stop this virus before we can start to recover.
For other ways to support local nonprofit organizations, contact Gaila Demel, United Way of Central Kansas, at unitedwaycentralks@hotmail.com; and Christy Tustin, Golden Belt Community Foundation at christy@goldenbeltcf.org.
Find ways to be of service to your neighbors and community. Check in with your elderly and disabled neighbors, friends, and family. Send flowers to the nurses at the hospital or a resident held up alone at a nursing home. Write messages in chalk on the sidewalk to cheer up your neighbors. Be kind! #BartonStrong
All credit card transactions from this website are being processed by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and are subject to credit card transaction fees of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transactions. Gift cards purchased are not tax deductible.
*Online gift card sales may be subject to processing and transaction fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. All major credit/debit cards accepted. Each consumer who enters their credit/debit card information online is entering his/her data into a secure web portal provided by Stripe. Great Bend Chamber of Commerce assumes no liability for credit/debit card information provided by the donor to a third party.
When does my business get its money?
We will do our best to email reports every Monday showing you if you are owed money from the sale of gift cards. If you are, we will mail you a check on that Tuesday for the total purchase amount minus credit card processing fees. A report showing the calculation of credit card transaction fees will be included. Current credit card transaction fees are 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Our goal is to be issuing payments weekly.
What businesses qualify?
To qualify for this program, the following criteria must be true:
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The business must be in one of the following business categories:
Bars & Restaurants
Restaurants - Bars/Lounges - Cafes/Bistros
Hospitality
Lodging - Recreation - Entertainment - Health/Sports - Arts/Culture
Retail Sales
Specialty store - Department store - Drug store - Discount store - Used goods
Health & Beauty
Salons - Barbershop - Spa/Massage - Fitness centers
Service Industry
Cleaning - HVAC - Plumbers - Electricians - Lawn Care - Auto Repair
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The business must be located within Barton County.
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The business must be a member of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. Not a Chamber member yet? No problem! Contact Megan Barfield or Angie Hicks at: gbcc@greatbend.org; or call 620-792-2401. We are adamant about supporting ALL Barton County businesses during this time.
To demonstrate this, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will be extending a 90-day courtesy membership* to non-members so that every business can benefit. There is no obligation to join the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at the end of 90 days, however, we gladly invite and welcome you!
Those choosing to join the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will enjoy enhanced membership benefits, including a customized online member directory listing and the ability to redeem Chamber Gift Certificates, just to name a couple.
*90-day courtesy memberships will enjoy a limited membership and receive the following:
• Basic online member directory listing
• Weekly email updates
• Email communications with invites to Chamber events
• Monthly Outlook Business Journal -
The business must currently sell and accept gift cards and/or gift certificates.
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The business must have a valid SSN/EIN/TIN in order to be paid.
Can I count all gift card sales towards the matching program?
No. Only gift card purchases that are processed through this website are eligible for the match for local impact.
When do I create a physical gift card/ certificate to give to a customer?
Once a week, you will receive an email with a report showing any purchases made and who to contact to fulfill the gift card/certificate order. A check will be issued and mailed to your business for purchase minus credit card processing fees. A report showing the calculation of credit card transaction fees will be included. Current credit card transaction fees are 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Our goal is to be issuing payments weekly.
My store is currently closed. Can I still participate?
Provided you meet all of the other criteria and you intend to reopen—yes! We take care of all of the leg work and will send you weekly checks. You will be responsible for arranging delivery of the gift cards/certificates to consumer.
My business does not currently sell gift cards. Can I participate?
Unfortunately, no. You must have a gift card/certificate program in place. If you develop a gift card or gift certificate solution, you may apply.
How do I know how many gift cards I've sold?
We will send a weekly report showing the total sales for your business.
How does my business fulfill the customers' orders?
Once a week, you will receive an email with a report showing any purchases made and who to contact to fulfill the gift card/certificate order. The report will include the following:
• Purchaser Name, Address, Email address and Phone Number
• Dollar amount of purchase
You will then contact the customer to arrange for delivery of purchased gift card/certificate. Customers will be advised that your business will contact them, and they need to pick up their gift card at your business location once it has been deemed safe to do so. You may arrange for alternate delivery methods as your own discretion. Thank the customer for their support!
We do not recommend that businesses bypass CDC, RCHD, KDHE recommendations or mandates in order to fulfill customer orders.
How does my business get paid?
We will do our best to email reports every Monday showing you if you are owed money from the sale of gift cards. If you are, we will mail you a check on that Tuesday for the total purchase amount minus credit card processing fees. A report showing the calculation of credit card transaction fees will be included. Current credit card transaction fees are 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Our goal is to be issuing payments weekly.