Recently, I discovered the heartwarming tradition of askıda ekmek - 'bread on a hook', an age-old Turkish practice akin to our increasingly used food banks. Customers who can afford to do so, put an extra loaf 'on the hook' when they buy from a bakery. The bread is then hung in the window for those in need to take. It's a simple gesture which is a testament to the generosity and compassion within communities, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact.

It got me wondering, how many of us, as business owners, could spare a 'loaf' but haven't yet found a way?

As the political and socioeconomic landscapes continue to change, there's a greater need than ever for businesses to help fill the gaps in struggling communities where they can. And now may be the time to consider the 'how' of it.

I'm not going to wax lyrical about the eternal joy of giving - I'm a grumpy self-employed writer; and like many other small business owners, I can't give a lot. But I can give a little. And it's the 'little' that can mount up to create a more empowered and egalitarian community.

Beyond the 'feel-good factor'…

For those of you who already do so, you'll know that corporate philanthropy has many benefits. By providing a few regular hours of support for charities each week, I have met many great people that I would otherwise not have had the pleasure of knowing. And it's healthy to remember that not everything is about money. Selfishly, it just feels good.

However, there are other more tangible benefits to championing a community-based element to your business. Regardless of how small your contribution is, those little acts of kindness can …

Expand your network

Being more community-minded allows you to reach out more meaningfully with those who might have used your services, or may do so in the future. You just never know what opportunities may come from a chance meeting with a local group or charity.

Boost your brand reputation

Good brands engage in social responsibility; great brands show their authenticity by doing it from the heart. People warm to that, and word-of-mouth remains the most enduring type of conversion around.

Improve Staff Morale

Employees are happier working for businesses that show they care about the community. It makes them feel good to be part of something of social value. It's also a great way of boosting team spirit and letting their creative juices flow.

Choose tax-deductible activities

You may be able to write off charitable activities or donations, depending on the type of contribution, and your status (e.g., self-employed/incorporated). Check out what types of activities are tax-deductible, and take it from there.

All of these are further reasons to consider adopting a social element to your business activities if you don't do it already. Do you provide a service? Think of how much time you could feasibly give up for a good cause. Are you selling a product? If so, what might you reasonably donate that won't impact your income?

Plan to give sustainably

Of course, in our day-to-day lives, we give our time to others constantly - especially now, as we help family, friends - and strangers - in these uncertain times. But corporate philanthropy is community involvement with a business head. It's usually more structured giving - a planned, agreed, relative contribution embodied within the company's ethos. It could be time given to a particular cause each month or a commitment to donate products at certain events each year. It's your contribution; you choose. What matters is that you give in a way that suits your business, so that you can continue to give.

I trade in words, which might initially seem hard to put a community slant on. But from years of working with small charities, I find that many who provide an excellent service to their community are not so good at telling people about it. With content often developed in-house and on a shoestring, a little help can convey their message more effectively. It's not a lot, but corporate philanthropy needn't be a grand gesture.

What's your gift?

Every service or product has value in the community; as business owners, we just need to explore how it can provide that value, directly or indirectly.

So as we journey towards another year of unknowns, perhaps we can consider what more we can do to make it a better year than its pre-release reviews. Partly because it's good for business, but mostly - whether it's yesterday's cakes to a care home or a few pro bono hours, because corporate philanthropy serves the community that a business thrives in.