You Can Get Free Sugar (and Other Kitchen Essentials) From This Hotel Chain

'Tis the season to be neighborly.

“Can I borrow a cup of sugar?” It’s a common question asked in sitcoms and other TV shows. But do people really ask their neighbors to borrow food? In my neighborhood, we do. Particularly during the holidays, my immediate neighbors and I can expect texts asking if anyone has a particular baking spice, a couple of eggs, or maybe a rolling pin.

I’ve had my kids run all of those to a neighbor over the years, and I only ever got the rolling pin back. I’ve had neighborhood kids show up on my doorstep with ingredients I needed, too. Most people understand the unspoken rule that when they “lend” someone an ingredient, it will not be returned.

Although sugar prices are higher this year, I’ll always lend to a neighbor who sends an S.O.S. text—and still not expect an equal amount in return. It seems a hotel chain is taking a page out of our neighborhood's book, allowing those who live in the same zip code as its hotels to “borrow” everyday necessities (without expecting them to be returned).

The Borrowed by Hotel Indigo Program

To foster connection and build community in the city neighborhoods where its hotels are located, Hotel Indigo—with locations in 11 cities throughout the U.S.—has launched the Borrowed by Hotel Indigo program. Recognizing that not everyone may have the same neighborhood situation as me, it’s hoping to improve community morale by being a good neighbor.

The idea came from a Harvard Business School survey that revealed that people interact with their neighbors less than they have in the past. The survey found that 59 percent of those asked never once asked their neighbors to borrow anything. But studies show that those little interactions, such as sending your child across the street with an egg for someone who is one egg short, make for happier communities.

So Hotel Indigo hopes to reignite the once popular habit of lending to a neighbor by inviting its neighbors to borrow some common items such as sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper, coffee, and tea—while supplies last.

Where Is Hotel Indigo Located?

You can find Hotel Indigo locations in Athens, GA, Columbus, OH, Alexandria, VA, Baltimore, MD, Chattanooga, TN, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, Washington, Omaha, NE, Madison, WS, New Orleans, LA, and Austin, TX. And, if you happen to be traveling to the U.K. this holiday season and need to borrow a cup of sugar, the chain’s locations there have this offer, too.

I think this is a very thoughtful idea. I’m just wondering if those who need to borrow a cup of sugar need to go to the hotel to get it—or will the hotel staff keep one of their kids on hand to run it down the street to whoever asks?

Read the original article on All Recipes.