Grants Support Equipment Upgrades, Unforeseen Hardships and Employee Retention and Training
Sacramento, CA (RestaurantNews.com) The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, is pleased to award 278 independent restaurants with $5,000 grants as part of its fourth consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund. The grants were made possible via thoughtful donations from SoCalGas, The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), which have contributed to the fund since 2021. Recipients can use the $5,000 assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses and employee training, all of which allow California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their business and employees.
“We’re incredibly thankful to our generous donors for their continued support, which has afforded us the opportunity to assist thousands of business owners in California’s food industry since 2021,” said Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director of CRF. “Together, we have proudly sustained the Resilience Fund for the past four years, ensuring that California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers remain a vital and vibrant part of our state’s culinary landscape and economy for many years ahead.”
Among the 278 restaurants awarded, 154 are in Pacific Gas and Electric’s service area, 90 in SoCalGas’ region and 34 in San Diego Gas and Electric’s territory. Eighty-eight percent are single-unit establishments, with an average of 10 years in business. Notably, 76 percent of the grant recipients identify as female, and 73 percent identify as people of color. More than 70 percent of this year’s recipients plan to use the $5,000 grants for kitchen equipment or technology upgrades, and 17 percent will dedicate the funds to employee retention bonuses. To qualify, the restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units, and less than $3 million in revenue. View the full list of 2024 Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund grant recipients here: RestaurantsCare.org/resilience.
“The Resilience Fund grant signifies that our hard work and commitment has not gone unnoticed, that our goals can continue and we are doing something positive in our immediate community,” said Chante Gaspard, owner of WestCoast Wingz & Sliderz located in Los Angeles. “The money will allow us to continue growing and serving our community with the highest integrity. It motivates us to accomplish more and to utilize this amazing resource to share our food with more customers.”
Since 2021, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to more than 1,600 independent restaurants and caterers across California. The Resilience Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations and individuals who want to invest in California’s food community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at RestaurantsCare.org/resilience.
For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care or the Resilience Fund, please visit RestaurantsCare.org.
About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF)
California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy. The California Restaurant Foundation is a non-profit that empowers and invests in California’s restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing a hardship, job and life skills training for 14,000 high school students each year, and scholarships. For more information visit CalRestFoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Kelly Itatani
Powerhouse+Co.
kelly@powerhouseandco.com
