The California Restaurant Foundation has recently announced the recipients of $5,000 grants for independent restaurants in the region. A total of 34 restaurants were awarded grants as part of the fourth consecutive distribution from the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. This fund, which aims to support California restaurants and their workforce, issued a total of 278 awards thanks to donations from SoCalGas, the PG&E Corporation Foundation, and San Diego Gas and Electric.
The grants are intended to help restaurant owners with equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses, and training. This financial support enables independent restaurant owners to invest in the longevity of their businesses, ensuring they remain a vital part of California’s culinary landscape and economy. Alycia Harshfield, the executive director of the foundation, expressed pride in sustaining the Resilience Fund for the past four years.
Among the recipients of the grants, 154 restaurants are located in Pacific Gas and Electric’s service area, 90 in SoCalGas’ region, and 34 in SDG&E’s territory. One of the grant recipients, Virut Tilakamonkul, owner of Thotsakan Thai and Vegetarian Cuisine in downtown San Diego, expressed gratitude for the much-needed financial relief provided by the grant. The funds enabled the eatery to enhance its kitchen equipment, ensuring the highest standards of food quality and safety.
It is worth noting that 88% of the grant recipients are single-unit establishments with an average of 10 years in business. Furthermore, 76% of the recipients identify as female, and 73% identify as people of color. This demonstrates the diverse group of restaurant owners benefiting from the Resilience Fund.
This year, over 70% of the grant recipients plan to use the $5,000 for kitchen equipment or technology upgrades, while 17% will allocate the funds to employee retention bonuses. The Resilience Fund has made a significant impact by providing financial assistance to over 1,600 independent restaurants and caterers across California. To qualify for the grants, restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units and less than $3 million in revenue.
Overall, the grants awarded by the California Restaurant Foundation are instrumental in supporting independent restaurants in the region, helping them overcome challenges and invest in the future success of their businesses. The foundation’s commitment to sustaining the Resilience Fund ensures that California’s culinary landscape remains vibrant and diverse for years to come.