These past two weeks were two of the most challenging weeks our business has ever endured. We were faced with ongoing challenges as our advertising revenues continued to plunge, with many of our regular advertisers simply closed up for now.
In case you missed my column from two weeks ago, our business has historically relied on 100 per cent of its income coming from advertising in the paper or flyers inserted within. With many businesses in our community closed during this time, our income has been significantly impacted to the point where we have turned to ask you, the consumers of our award-winning journalism to contribute directly.
We have also seen a significant reduction in the number of flyers that we are delivering, for similar reasons. However, we are especially dismayed with the retailers that are fully open for business but have taken this opportunity to eliminate their printed flyers. Obviously, many of you are equally disappointed as we are now expected to look for sale items and savings in their online flyer.
We hope that you all continue to support the businesses in your community that are still advertising with us. We are eternally grateful to all of the advertisers and flyer customers who have stayed with us and we hope you too show your gratitude by supporting those that support community journalism, in good times and tough times. Check out our Open For Business section in today’s paper.
The businesses in this community of ours deserve your support. They are the ones that support our community every day. They pay taxes locally, they employ our friends, neighbours and youth, they sponsor every event that happens and many, many youth sports teams. They are the backbone of our community. Find a way to support them, now more than ever. They are struggling terribly right now and need the support of all of us. Shop local.
Here at the News, we have said goodbye (temporarily, we hope) to a significant number of our journalists and contributing writers as we grapple with the COVID-19 challenge. We are all missing our Friday paper too, no one more than us here at the News.
On a brighter note, we have had a heartwarming response to our open request for support from our readers and valued community members. We have had hundreds of individual donations for $5 per month to as much as a $1,000 from several of you. These funds will stay right here at the North Shore News to help us through this difficult time. Your donations are not only appreciated for their intrinsic value, but just as importantly you are sending a strong, heartwarming message that the work we do everyday matters to you.
Thanks to those who have already supported. And a big thank-you to all of you that will support us today. Please consider supporting local journalism at support.nsnews.com/account/support/signup. Funds raised stay right here on the North Shore to support local journalism.
We look forward to the days ahead as we start to find our way back to some form of normal. Look forward to meeting you all again then. Stay safe.
Peter Kvarnstrom is publisher of the North Shore News and president of community media at Glacier Media Group.
