I donate stuff to the local schools in the way of signage, make props for their plays.. lend the odd neon sign etc. I once sponsored the Police Citizens Youth thingy and they gave my details to all and sundry which tied my business phone up with more calls by people wanting money so I never did it again.
When my business was doing it tough a few years back there was no one to help me out and I noticed that once people got a sniff that you might be going under, they tend to create distance between themselves and you. I clawed right back, hit the streets to drum up work and prayed things would turn around.. they did.
Local community didn't want to know then.. now they do that im back on track.
I learnt my lesson and now keep my focus on building foundations for my family so if theres nothing in it for me, then theres nothing going out.. simple