DENVER, Colo. — You’ve probably noticed that companies are asking for more generous tips than they used to, and studies are showing that a lot of consumers are getting sick of it.

“Being asked to give more, it feels like a big ask right now,” said Kelly Goldsmith, professor of marketing at Vanderbilt University

At the beginning of the pandemic, the sentiment was different. Goldsmith said the quarantine and struggle small businesses endured created a sense of community and inspired people to donate extra tips. Now, those higher tipping rates look like they're becoming standard.

“Sometimes, the default tipping amount is quite high. We're talking 20%, 25%, and it forces people to take a step back and say, ‘What's going on?’” said Goldsmith.

Two years later, research shows shoppers are starting to feel less generous.

Software company Square found that tipping at sit-down restaurants has remained stable at around 20%, but when it comes to takeout, people are tipping less.

The average tip at places like cafes and coffee shops fell from 17.2% in March 2021 to 15.2% in February 2022.

“I think for some of us, it's pushing our boundaries, especially at a time when there's discussion of an economic recession, when there's discussion of inflation. This is a time when we need to protect our own financial well-being,” said Goldsmith.

Goldsmith says tipping fatigue is growing because technology makes tipping faster and we're being asked to tip more often and for things that don't usually require tips.

Now, many people are wondering, are these tipping practices here to stay?

“We'll see if they really push it too far—if consumers start complaining— because when that starts happening, you can imagine businesses are going to listen,” said Goldsmith.

Goldsmith said she hopes businesses will give customers more tipping options because it could cost them far more if they don't.

“What can happen over time is you're less likely to go back to that restaurant,” said Goldsmith. “Go back to those old methods, make it discretionary, have the tip jar. People gave tips in the past and we are pro-social. We do want to contribute to others. We just don't want to feel like we're being tricked into it by new technology.”

Goldsmith's biggest piece of advice to all of us tired tippers out there: don't feel pressured by technology. Maybe carry cash to control what you tip or remember that it's okay to skip the tip from time to time.

"You need to take care of your own financial bottom line. So, if you're going to a coffee shop and you can't afford to leave a 35% tip and that's the default, don't do it, and don't feel bad about it," she said.

A lot of people added pets to their families during the pandemic, but quite a few "pandemic puppies" lack proper socialization. If you fit in that category, you can get some relief by taking your dog to a training facility.

Heather Gillihan is a certified professional dog trainer with Zoom Room. It's an indoor dog training gym with locations nationwide.

"I could train your dog really well," Gillihan said. "That's not going to do you a bit of good if you don't know how to follow up, right? So we believe that it's more important to empower the owner to train their dog."

Gillihan says the first step to building a bond with your pup is having some empathy for their feelings.

"Think about it from his point of view," Gillihan said. "So he's on the leash. He knows he can't run. Dogs, when they get nervous or afraid, they have two reactions: fight or flight. The fact that the leash is attached means his only option is to fight. So he's not an aggressive dog, but he doesn't know what's coming at him. So his point of view is 'I am stuck. I can't run. So I better sound scary because what if he's a bad dog?'"

If you show frustration with your dog, Gillihan says that makes the situation worse.

"He's already nervous and afraid, and now the person he loves most in the world is fussing at him," Gillihan said. "So it just makes that dog even more scary."

Gillihan says the good news is that you can retrain a dog's brain to like other animals.

"Let him know you have some really good food, like some barbecue, something that he has never had before, but smells amazing. Let him know you have it. But he doesn't get it until we see a dog. So as soon as he sees a dog and before he can react, you say, 'Yes!' and give him that barbecue. Think about what happens in his little brain now. 'Hey, mom, there's a dog. Can I have my barbecue? Because there's one right there.'"

The other common trait with pandemic puppies has been separation anxiety as people return to the office. Gillihan suggests you get a camera in your house. If your dog is panting, sniffing and soiling the house, that's separation anxiety. Otherwise, they may simply lack coping skills, and you can help with that.

"No big hellos or goodbyes," Gillihan said. "Make it non-eventful. You're just walking out. There are things you can do to help them, though, if you're going to be gone for a while. Such as toys, stuff about you, toys, puzzles."

If it is separation anxiety, Gillihan suggests you visit a dog behavior specialist with a veterinary background who can use medications to help your fur baby.

"What those dogs need more than anything is to be able to settle the brain so that they can be retrained," Gillihan said.

Gillihan says it's possible to have a well-rounded dog at any stage in their life. She notes it just may take a lot of practice and dedication through a training regimen.
 

With whiteout conditions predicted starting Friday as part of a strong winter storm poised to wallop a long stretch of the East Coast, officials warn drivers in affected areas to avoid getting on roads this weekend unless it is absolutely necessary — and to practice extreme caution if they do.

That's because snow, sleet and freezing rain may blanket cars, ice over roads and hamper visibility.

Even if you're not in the path of this weekend's nor'easter, driving in a snowstorm is difficult. Aside from snow and ice, wind and poor visibility can make travel downright dangerous.

Here's a short guide to driving safely in winter weather:

Pack a winter driving kit

If motorists have any problems with their car's battery, brakes, heating and cooling system or ignition system, they should try to stay off the roads.

For those who must go out, it's important to plan.

The AAA recommends motorists pack a winter driving kit that includes:

• A bag of abrasive material (sand, salt or cat litter), a snow shovel and traction mats

• An ice scraper and window washing liquid

• Booster cables

• A flashlight and warning flares or triangles

• A cell phone and charger

• An extra set of gloves and a blanket

• Emergency food supplies such as power bars or beef jerky — and sufficient water.

Motorists should also have at least half a tank of fuel before venturing out, the AAA says, and should make sure tires are properly inflated.

Always deice your vehicle before driving

Iced-over vehicles can limit driver visibility, and ice flying off cars can be hazardous to fellow drivers, so deice vehicles before driving.

The AAA suggests drivers clean their windows and windshield, replace their window wiper blades if they're leaving streaks and clean all snow and ice from their hood, roof, trunk, lights and windows.

Drivers should warm their car's engine for a few minutes before hitting the road.

Drive slowly with headlights on low and avoid frequent stops

When driving in conditions with low visibility, motorists should proceed slowly with their headlights on low beam, the AAA advises.

The AAA also recommends drivers avoid stopping if possible. Instead, motorists should drive slowly so their car keeps rolling without requiring a full stop.

Steering around an obstruction is often safer than braking suddenly at speeds above 25 mph on a slippery surface, according to AAA's pamphlet, "How to Go on Ice and Snow."

When motorists do brake, they should not remove their foot from the brake or pump the pedal if they have anti-lock brakes, the AAA advises. Drivers that don't have anti-lock brakes should keep their heel on the floor and apply firm pressure to the brake pedal to the threshold of locking.

In case of skidding, drivers are advised to steer in the direction they want the front of the car to go, keeping their eyes on the travel path. They should not slam on the brakes -- that's likely to make it harder to regain control.

Additionally, the AAA suggests drivers avoid cruise control when driving on slippery surfaces.

Carefully exit parking spots

Drivers should try to ease their vehicle out of parking spaces without spinning the wheels. Drive back and forth for several feet in either direction to clear a path, the AAA advises, and spread sand or salt near the wheels if additional traction is needed.

Keep as much distance between your and other cars

To safely brake if necessary on ice or snow, the AAA advises drivers increase following distances to 8 to 10 seconds.

On highways, drivers should not change lanes often, as they can lose control driving over snow that gathers between lanes.

Take the hills as slowly as possible

When driving on hills, drivers should stay as far from other vehicles as possible so they don't have to stop while maneuvering around cars that are stuck.

This will allow drivers to gently speed up when they're near the bottom of the hill, the AAA says.

Motorists should drive downhill extremely slowly and try not to use the brakes. When it's necessary, however, drivers should brake gently so they don't lose control.

Coffee grounds are abrasive, which makes them a great cleaning scrub for pots, pans, ovens and foul-smelling fridge drawers. Scrubbing away at those tough kitchen stains can often seem like a never-ending chore, but used coffee could be the answer you're looking for.

"We've all heard about lemon juice and vinegar acting as great natural cleaning products for the home, but coffee also has multiple benefits to keep your kitchen spick and span," said Polly Shearer, interiors expert at Tap Warehouse.

Looking for some simple cleaning tips? Take a look at what you can do once you've had your morning caffeine fix...

1. Scrubbing pans

The coarse texture of ground coffee makes it ideal for scrubbing those hard-to-clean pans — and is much better for the environment than abrasive sponges. All you need to do is combine two to three teaspoons of ground coffee with warm, soapy water, and scrub the pans with a soft sponge until clean. Coffee is a natural degreaser, so your pans will be spotless in no time.

2. Cleaning the grill and oven

Removing dirt, grease and grime from your oven is no easy feat. Having trouble getting yours clean? According to the experts at Tap Warehouse, the acidity in coffee makes it brilliant for removing tough stains.

Shearer explained: "Soak your grill grates in the sink for about 45 minutes in a solution of warm water and a few spoonfuls of coffee, (even instant coffee will do), and you'll find the tough stains will melt off, leaving you with a grill that's as good as new. This also works just as well for barbecue grills."

3. Fridge and trash can smells

Looking to banish lingering food smells? Kitchen trash cans and fridges are a magnet for bacteria, but coffee is another great secret ingredient that can help banish bad smells for good.

To try this at home, all you need to do is place coffee grounds or a few beans in a cup in your fridge. Coffee is a great absorber of odours, so it can be used to keep your fridge smelling fresh. The same can be done with your trash can; simply place a teaspoon of coffee at the bottom before you put in the bin bag and any bad odors will fade.

4. Cleaning surfaces

"Coffee is also great for removing hard-to-clean stains from tiles — mix a few teaspoons of instant coffee or used grounds with soapy water and you'll have your very own surface cleanser," Shearer said.

"This method can also be used on wooden surfaces that have scratches — soak a spoonful of coffee with warm water and gently rub on the surface. This will minimise the appearance of scratches and stains."

5. Unblocking the sink

Kitchen sink not draining? Try pouring coffee grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and boiling water. A great way to use up old grounds, this will help clear any blockages and leave your sink odor-free in no time.

Starting a new job is nerve-wracking: You're trying to remember everyone's names and roles, and learn the culture, all the while trying to put your best foot forward.

And for new hires who are joining a company remotely during the pandemic, the onboarding process can be even more difficult.

Here's how to make a great first impression:

Prepare ahead of your first day

Preparation is key to starting a new job on the right foot.

"Get your office in order. Get everything you need that you can set up to where and how you are going to work: your desk, get a ring light if you feel you need it ... get your space ready so that when you start work you are ready to go," said Andrew McCaskill, LinkedIn career expert.

He also suggested reviewing the company's website, blog posts or social media pages to help become more familiar with the company and your new colleagues.

"Start to look around to see what you can learn about the organization ... get into the company news to figure out what's going on at work before you get to work," McCaskill said.

Ask for a buddy

Working remotely means you no longer have a seat mate that can help you learn how access your project files or fill you in on office norms.

To help answer any mundane questions that pop up as your learn the ropes, ask your boss to assign you a buddy.

"Ask your manager: 'Is there someone on the team that you can go to for small questions to help figure out how things work here?'" said Renata Dionello, chief people officer at ZipRecruiter. "That way, that person knows up front you might be asking them questions and make you more comfortable to ask questions and them more responsive when you come to them."

Build your network

Without coffee breaks, lunch dates and hallway run-ins, establishing a rapport with your new colleagues takes more effort when working remotely.

Ask your manager for recommendations of colleagues you should meet and also pay attention to names of people who are regularly in your meetings or included on team emails.

Once you have a list, start setting up introductory meetings.

Dionello suggested requesting 30-minute meetings with co-workers who you will be working with directly on a regular basis, and ask questions about their role, current projects and work preferences.

She also suggested setting up 15-minute intro meetings with people who aren't direct reports or on your team, but are included in emails, show up in meetings or are referenced occasionally.

These meetings shouldn't be entirely work focused. Ask questions that will help you get to know your teammates, but don't get too personal right away. Questions like: 'How long have you been at the company?' 'How did you get into this industry?' and 'How was your summer?' can help break the ice.

"Networking is a two-way street: if you need help ask for help, but also offer help," said McCaskill. "Share some of your own personal insights about you and your life and that makes it a little easier for other folks to do the same. Accept what people offer up initially, and make it very natural."

Scour the intranet

Some companies offer internal websites to employees that can be a treasure trove of information regarding resources, handbooks, benefits and announcements.

"Making use of the tools the company has is really important," said Paul Wolfe, senior vice president of human resources at job website Indeed.

Employee resource groups, such as those established for women, parents, people of color, or LGBTQ employees, can also be a good way to make connections, noted McCaskill.

"If there is an opportunity where there is already a group or community built into your organization, getting involved and getting access to that community will help grease the wheels of you getting to know more people faster," said McCaskill.

Learn your manager's style

Some managers want frequent progress updates, while others are a little more hands off. Learning how your manager prefers to communicate — whether it's emails, instant messaging, weekly meetings or shared documents — and how often, is important to your success.

"Ask them how do they like to work best and share with them what works best for you," said McCaskill.

Get feedback regularly

Set up frequent one-on-one meetings with your manager during your first few weeks on the job that are feedback-focused, suggested Dionello.

"It's fine to say to the manager...'For the first two months, I would really love frequent feedback on whether I am focusing on the right things, am I approaching things the right way, is my style fitting with the style of the team and company?' You can have that conversation up front," Dionello said.

The "stop, start and continue" framework can help get the conversation going, said Wolfe. That means asking your manager: Is there anything you should stop doing, what should you start doing and what should you continue to do?

Be patient

Onboarding can be difficult in a remote setting, so try and give yourself a little breathing room.

"You have to pace yourself and be patient," said Wolfe. "You aren't going to come out of the gate and fix everything right away. Come up with a plan with your leaders about how you prioritize things."

Gone are the days of running to the ATM in order to get cash to tip your server or hair stylist. If cash was going out of style before the pandemic, consider its reputation ruined by infection concerns that have pushed consumers toward cashless alternatives — especially when it comes to tipping.Apps like Venmo, Cash App and PayPal let users easily facilitate peer-to-peer payments. And Apple and Google both have their own digital payment and wallet services.But while cashless tipping may be a consumer convenience, does it benefit service workers who have traditionally relied on cash tips?Bigger tips as a matter of convenienceDigital payment systems often give customers the option to select a pre-calculated tip which, according to several companies that offer these services, often result in larger tips.For example, digital payment company Square allows merchants to select between a "smart tip" or a custom tip. When smart tip is turned on, transactions of less than $10 offer four tipping options: No Tip, $1, $2 or $3. For a transaction of $10 or more, the available tipping options are: No Tip, 15%, 20% or 25%. The custom tip setting allows businesses to select their own options.Another cashless payment service, Youtip uses QR codes to facilitate digital tipping and offers similar pre-calculated options for users called "Quick Tips." After scanning a QR code, users are prompted to either enter a tip amount or select a "Quick Tip" option, which is a fixed amount set by the system or the business.According to the company's data, over 70% of tips processed through the system are either a "Quick Tip" selection or higher, Sarah Taveprungsenukul, Youtip co-founder and chief commercial officer, told CNN Business.One lodging business that adopted Youtip's system reported that it saw housekeeping tips rise from an average of $14 to $21 with the implementation of the QR codes and customized "Quick Tip" prompts, according to Youtip's data.Tippy, another digital payment service, has seen similar increases. Originally created for the beauty industry, Tippy's data shows that not only are people tipping more often when its cashless system is used, but the average tip has increased 11% since early 2020."We're encouraging people to tip more because we're doing the calculation for them," Terry McKim, Tippy's founder and CIO, told CNN Business.Cashless options are also changing tipping norms, encouraging tips for workers who don't usually receive them, like fast food servers or fitness instructors, according to Taveprungsenukul."Tipping is everywhere and even the places where it isn't, maybe it should be," she said. "We're working with a lot of groups, for example in quick-serve restaurants, where they're implementing our solution."The downsides of cashless tipsDespite the convenience of cashless payments and tips, some service workers still prefer cash. For example, some workers don't have access to the banking tools necessary to accept and process digital payments, Clara Wheatley-Schaller, political director at Workers United NY NJ, told CNN Business."With anything that is cashless tipping, that would be the main concern: making sure the money is accessible and going directly to the worker," she said.More than 80% of workers represented by Workers United, which represents a variety of service workers, experience some kind of wage theft, according to the union's survey data. When customers add tips on their credit card, the money doesn't always go directly to the worker. Those tips might get cut due to processing fees, for example. Because of this, some workers don't trust that they're getting all their cashless tips. Handing cash directly to a worker is the safest way to ensure they are getting the entirety of their tip, Whetley-Schaller said.D. Taylor, president of Unite Here, a union representing workers in the hotel and food service industries, has observed that workers benefit when there are pre-calculated tip options. But he said the union has struggled to find solutions that make cashless tipping easy for both the consumer and the worker. Most digital payment companies take a cut of the tips paid through their services, and it can be hard to ensure that tips are going to the intended workers, Taylor said.Tippy, for example, said it charges businesses a flat annual rate of $300 for the use of its services. And, instead of charging workers processing fees for using its software, the service charges the customer leaving a tip a fee for use of the system. Similarly, Youtip applies a service fee to the person paying the tip, but businesses have the option to cover that fee for customers.Another issue with digital tipping: taxes. While both cash and digital tips are taxable, cash is self-reported, so it's easier for some payments to remain under the table. But, as tipping on credit cards has grown more popular in past years, paying taxes on tips is "old news," Taylor said.For workers who are used to taking cash tips without always reporting them, digital tipping might actually alleviate their tax concerns. Although they'll have to pay taxes on their tips, using digital payment services can increase tips enough to offset the cost of taxes, said David Tashjian, Tippy's CEO and president.Adapting to a cashless economy is "not even a question of interest. It's going to happen," Taylor said. "The real question is how can the fruits of labor be rewarded? And how is that done in a way that they are the beneficiaries of it as opposed to someone taking a cut that had nothing to do with their labor, but just developed an app?"

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it's my customers that I owe this to. They bring out the best in me. It's them, I couldn't do it without your help. It gives you hope that you know, we're turning the corner and that they were kind of on the back nine of this and hopefully we can get back to normal soon. This is what my people need right now. I have single moms that work here. I have high school kids that work here. You know, people with families and mortgages and car payments. So it was very welcome. We now know what it really does mean to the community and how much it is helping these places to survive and thrive during this time here at stitch, we celebrate the ways everyday people are making this country a kinder place to live. One incredible story at a time. One of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic was the service industry across the country. Good Samaritans have been stepping up and supporting their local restaurants in any way they can. Here are a few stories of patrons that are making a difference in their communities. One tip at a time in our first story, a beloved Taco Bell employee received the tip of a lifetime jodi cco, affectionately known as Taco Bell joe was given a tip he'll never forget. It's my customers that I owe this to. They bring out the best in me. It's them. I couldn't do it without your help. He's made such an impact that the community gifted Joe a check for over $6,000 Tricia Philly B started a Facebook group for local foodies to share news about their favorite restaurants during the pandemic. Then they decided to take it a step further. Members of the group voted on their favorite employee to help me. What won by a landslide. I'm gonna do my best to live up to it. It's a light a little candle in every heart Of every person that I meet, Joe has been an employee for over 20 years but never knew how many lives he impacted. You could have the worst day. By the time you get through the drive through there, you're just smiling. He just brings a smile to everybody's face. Um just interacting him with him in the drive thru just brings so much joy to just be part of this and to see this man so touched. Um it is life changing for me. So very, very grateful. They give me strength, they give you wisdom. They gave me vitality in our next story. We'll hear about a mystery regular who left thousands in tips at several bars in his community. One of the most mind blowing things that's happened to me in 10 years of doing this when Connor opened an envelope that a customer left him, he had to double check that it wasn't a mistake trying to figure out for a second whether that was what was intended. And then obviously, you know, you realize, you know, he left $2021 for 2021. It was pretty clear symbolism. I basically got months worth of rent in a tip. The mysterious good samaritan later came forward to reveal he had tipped five other bars that night. My mission that night was to support the local bars. Ernie also donated $1 million to the bar stool, sports restaurant fund that was set up to help small local businesses. I usually cook, I don't get take out that often, but when I do, I can just see the problems that are there and I encourage anybody that can do it. Please support the industry. It gives you hope that, you know, we're turning the corner and that we're kind of on the back nine of this and hopefully we can get back to normal soon Next. A restaurant rescue challenges taking over this community and helping struggling small businesses ultimately burning. There's $2500. This is the Venmo Challenge. It's a challenge where Stan Anderson collects donations through mobile payment apps to help local restaurants, they Venmo me or cash app or Paypal or chase basil, whatever and they give us money and they trust us to go than to restaurants like here and decide to give the money to the restaurant tours stan stopped by Bernie's pizza to give them a special surprise. Bernie and I both didn't sense anything, we didn't know anything that was, you know, what was gonna happen stan has already raised over $18,000 for struggling businesses through the Venmo challenge and now can add Bernie's pizza to the list. I was this something you kind of just took upon yourself to start? Well I don't know other than I can and what I mean by that is that anybody can, his work in the community hasn't gone unnoticed by the people he's helped. Great, good man, help me allow it helps take care of a few maybe extra bills that are laying around that are like 500,000 here whatever onto a story where another group on facebook decided to step up and help out local restaurants. When the Omaha Food lovers facebook group was founded, it was with the attention of simply sharing favorite places to eat locally during the pandemic though they realized they would be able to help restaurants that were struggling. We now know what it really does mean to the community and how much it is helping these places to survive and thrive. During this time, members of the group have supported multiple businesses in the area. I know it sounds dramatic. They're really, they say master stand and we're still here um serving people because they just kept telling others about us for new businesses like Kuantan john's food truck, support from the group has helped them stay afloat. That rug got pulled out from under us real quick. So we had had to pivot. So Omaha food lovers essentially was our assistance. It was support from members of this group that helped porky butts barbecue to get out there and support restaurants. Me right now, times have been tough and you know, there's a lot of restaurants in oh FL and places like myself that get a lot of publicity, but don't forget about the mom and pop shops and the smaller places support them all. Next, when an entire restaurant staff fell on hard times, a facebook group stepped in. Best friends diner has been hit hard during the pandemic. The first thing you try to cut back on of course is labor hours. Um So we shut down monday and Tuesday. We are now down to one server per shift. The tipping north country facebook group set out to help the staff when they learned about how badly the restaurant was struggling. It's a way of giving back to strangers. We raise money throughout the week and donate to a random service worker. You know, whether it be A server, a cook, it could be a mailman, it could be anybody and anybody in the service industry or local barber and whatnot. The group raised over $1,500 to tip the entire staff. With each staff member getting $130. apiece might seem small to some and large to others. You know, $130 is definitely, you know, I mean it's more than what anybody had in their pockets at the time, right? So um it was great to be able to get back. This is what my people need right now. I have single moms that work here, I have high school kids that work here, you know, people with families and mortgages and car payments. So it was very welcome. A restaurant owner received a birthday gift from barstool sports that helped save his business. Hello, is this Anthony? Oh my God. Oh my God! David, are you telling me what I need to hear? Yeah, yeah, we want to help you guys out. I'm going to cry right now, Anthony's Italian kitchen has been hit hard by the pandemic. It's lost over $300,000 and was months behind on rent. And I think tim solely deserves a big shout out here because he has really kept this place alive. And uh, he's a wonderful landlord. Tony submitted a video to barstool sports for its small business funds. I'm now in trouble, barstools, ceo Dave Portnoy saw the video and reached out to Tony to share the good news. I'm in a slump place right now. I don't quite know how to react and I've never caught at a loss for words, Tony will receive $25,000 every month that he needs it from the bar stool Sports fund. What a feeling that phone call is. Feel. It's just absolutely magic. It's magic. Somebody's telling you, they're going to give you money for a year and here's what he said. Jim, I'm gonna help you for one year. I mean, that's phenomenal. We hope you enjoyed these stories of good Samaritans across the country, doing their part to help restaurants and restaurant tours, if possible, get out there and support your favorite local businesses. Yeah, yeah.

Good Samaritans helping restaurants during the pandemic

Patrons stepping up to help small businesses

Updated: 5:50 PM EDT Jun 1, 2021

One of the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic was the service industry. Across the country, Good Samaritans have been stepping up and supporting their local restaurants in any way they can.Here are a few stories of patrons that are making a difference in their communities, one tip at a time! Stitch brings you heartwarming stories from a community just like yours. It celebrates our hometown heroes and is inspired by communities, revitalized. Stitch is committed to honoring our history, celebrating our potential and highlighting the tales that bring us together. Every day, we are stitching together the American story.Want more stories like these? Follow Stitch on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

One of the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic was the service industry. Across the country, Good Samaritans have been stepping up and supporting their local restaurants in any way they can.

Here are a few stories of patrons that are making a difference in their communities, one tip at a time!

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Stitch brings you heartwarming stories from a community just like yours. It celebrates our hometown heroes and is inspired by communities, revitalized. Stitch is committed to honoring our history, celebrating our potential and highlighting the tales that bring us together. Every day, we are stitching together the American story.

Want more stories like these? Follow Stitch on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.