Restaurants Care Grant Applications Open This Week For IE Eateries

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — The California Restaurant Foundation is opening its applications this week for the 4th Restaurants Care Resilience Fund and is for the first time adding commercial caterers to the list of possible grant winners, according to a recent news release.

"The foundation will award $5,000 grants to 278 independent business owners across California," a spokesperson said in a recent news release. Resilience Fund applications will be open from June 15 to June 30, 2024, and can be found at www.restaurantscare.org/resilience. Grants will be available to all California-based restaurant owners and commercial caterers within the utility companies' service areas, provided they operate fewer than five units and generate less than $3 million in annual revenue. Priority consideration will be given to restaurants that have not received a grant previously.

Alycia Harshfield, executive director of the foundation, explained that for the first time, commercial caterers and independent restaurant owners are eligible to apply.

“Our decision to open applications to commercial caterers came after hearing countless stories from catering businesses asking for support, as they too are an essential part of any local food scene,” Harshfield said. “The foundation, along with our generous partners, proudly continue our Resilience Fund efforts year after year to ensure California’s independent restauranteurs and food business owners remain an integral part of our state’s vibrant dining community and economy for decades to come.”

Resilience Fund recipients can use the financial assistance to support vital business needs, including kitchen equipment upgrades, technology improvements, unforeseen hardships and employee training programs and retention bonuses.

Restaurant owners and caterers can invest in those critical areas, enhance operational efficiency, improve service quality, and foster a more skilled workforce, according to Harshfield.

The Resilience Fund is thoughtfully designed not only to provide immediate relief but also to ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of California’s restaurant community.

In December, 182 Southern and Central California eateries received $5,000 in grants from the Restaurants Care Resilience fund, including 35 Inland Empire restaurants that were awarded grants to aid their businesses.

Murrieta restaurant owner EJ Smith talked to Patch about what earning the award means to his business. Smith won the award for his Famous PUDN restaurant.

"We are super excited that our Famous PUDN restaurant was picked to win a $5,000 grant from the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund to help with equipment and employee training/bonuses," he said. "The timing was perfect because the 4th quarter has been a little slower than anticipated, even though we did great for Thanksgiving. We hope for an even better Christmas this year than last year because we've added a great gift card promotion. Only time will tell."

Founded in 2021 in response to the challenges restaurant owners encountered due to COVID-19 and its aftermath, the Resilience Fund has distributed nearly $6 million in grants since its inception.

To date, more than 1,325 grants have been awarded to independent restaurants throughout California, with 66 percent given to women-owned businesses and 77 percent to businesses owned by people of color.

The California Restaurant Foundation has partnered with California’s energy companies for the next round of funding opportunities, including SoCalGas, The PG&E Corporation Foundation and San Diego Gas and Electric.

The Resilience Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations and individuals who want to invest in California’s restaurant community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at www.restaurantscare.org/resilience.

For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care or the Resilience Fund, please visit www.restaurantscare.org.

In Riverside County, the following 13 restaurants received the award:

1. Main Street Deli, Corona
2. The Haus Bistro, Calimesa
3. Pueblo Viejo Grill, Indio
4. Taco Villa Mexican Grill, Jurupa Valley
5. OJ's Cafe, Moreno Valley
6. Da Big Easy Bayou Kitchen BBQ & Soulfood, Murrieta
7. Famous PUDN, Murrieta
8. Cervantes Fiesta Mexican Food, Perris
9. La Gare Cafe, Perris
10. Salt and Saffron (Catalan), Rancho Mirage
11. Yolis Mexican Grill, Riverside
12. EAT Marketplace, Temecula
13. Montague Brothers Coffee, Wildomar

In San Bernardino, another 22 restaurants also received the grant:

1. Halleluiah Bbq, Apple Valley, San Bernadino
2. R & R Breakfast Spot, Chino, San Bernadino
3. Thai Barbecue Restaurant, Chino Hills, San Bernadino
4. The Cookie Jar, Fontana, San Bernadino
5. Mucho Gusto Peruvian Cuisine, Fontana, San Bernadino
6. Shrimp shack Cajun fusion, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernadino
7. The Deli, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernadino
8. cheesewalla, Redlands, San Bernadino
9. La Volata Pizzeria, Redlands, San Bernadino
10. tortas ahogadas chapala, Rialto, San Bernadino
11. Shokunin, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernadino
12. New Delhi Palace Cuisine of India, San Bernadino, San Bernadino
13. Pho Century Corporation, Upland, San Bernadino
14. Padua Pasta Makers Italian Deli and Market, Upland, San Bernadino
15. Kishi Japanese Restaurant LLC, Upland, San Bernadino
16. Maniac-Mikes Cafe, Upland, San Bernadino
17. Thai ivory cuisine, Upland, San Bernadino
18. Beola's Chicken and Waffles, Upland, San Bernadino
19. Ruben’s tacos, Upland, San Bernadino
20. Mariscos El Guero, Upland, San Bernadino
21. Rev'd Up Coffee & Classics, Upland, San Bernadino
22. Rebels burgers and brew, Yucaipa, San Bernadino

"Since 2021, the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has awarded $5.94 million in grants to 1,325 independent restaurants throughout California," a spokesperson for CRF said. The restaurants include burger joints, taquerias, bakeries, and more at the heart of every community." Many of these restaurants represent family legacies and life-long dreams."

Read also:

12 Inland Empire Restaurants Earn Resilience Fund Grant In June: 2023

Temecula Eatery Receives 'Restaurant's Care Resilience Fund' Grant