SANTA ROSA >> For the fourth consecutive year, The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) is contributing $900,000 to support independent restaurant owners and their staffs through the California Restaurant Foundation’s (CRF) Restaurants Care Resilience Fund.
And for the first time, commercial caterers are now eligible to apply for the grants. The application period is now open – June 15 to 30. A total of 154 grants are available to restaurants in PG&E’s service area, according to Megan McFarland, spokesperson.
In total, CRF’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund provides grants across California of nearly $1.4 million to 278 independent restaurants this year, the PG&E press release said. The $5,000 grants can be used to support vital business needs, including technology and equipment upgrades, employee training and retention, and unforeseen hardships. The grants reflect a commitment to bolster restaurants so they can continue contributing to local economies.
CRF officials said that this year’s decision to open the grants to commercial caterers was based on appeals for support with catering companies noting that they are a part of the local food scene.
Since 2021, PG&E and the PG&E Foundation have contributed $3.2 million in funding to the CRF’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund providing grants ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, added the PG&E press release.
Last year, the PG&E Foundation funded $5,000 grants to 154 hometown restaurants in Northern and Central California. One of the grant recipients was La Cheve Bakery and Brews.
“Our restaurant is in a small historic building in Napa and is known for our bustling brunch,” said Cynthya Cisneros, owner La Cheve. “Kitchen space is tight, which has posed challenges in keeping up with guest orders,” she said. “We used our Resilience Fund grant to invest in a crucial addition to our kitchen equipment, which has significantly boosted our capacity and elevated guest service. Receiving the grant made us feel acknowledged and valued by our community.”
“We all have favorite gathering spots in our communities where we come to relax or celebrate a special occasion over a great meal — our local restaurants are where we connect with one another and where memories are made,” Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, PG&E Corporation, and Chair of the Board, The PG&E Corporation Foundation, said.
The Restaurant Foundation helps boost their local eating establishments and their local economies. CRF began the Resilience Fund in 2021 to support restaurants recovering from economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to many restaurants closing their doors temporarily or permanently. PG&E and the PG&E Corporation Foundation have supported the program since its inception, according to the PG&E press release.
“We are tremendously grateful to the PG&E Corporation Foundation for funding another cycle of grants. The Resilience Fund has helped more than 1,300 restaurant owners since 2021, with hundreds more to be added in this newest cycle,” said Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director of the California Restaurant Foundation. “We are thrilled to offer another round of grants to deserving independent restaurants.
To date, the CRF has awarded 1,325 grants to independent restaurant owners across the state. Of the past recipient businesses, 66% are women-owned and 77% minority-owned noted the press release. The PG&E Foundation’s funding for this charitable donation comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers
The PG&E press release said it remains committed to providing ways for its small and medium business customers to save energy and help small businesses at the center of local communities.”
