Oregon Restaurants Hurting, Feds Urged To Replenish Aid Fund

BEAVERTON, OR — It may not be the height of the pandemic, but it might as well as be as far as the state's restaurants are concerned. They are hurting, and with a cold winter coming, they think things will worsen.

The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association held a news conference Wednesday asking the federal government to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund which was set up in the early days of the pandemic.

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Fewer than half of the approximately 5,00o applicants eligible for grants received money, said Jason Brand, president of the association. Members depend on outdoor dining for as much as 20 percent of their revenue. With winter coming, that income is expected to take a major hit.

Brand had the press conference with Gabriel Pascuzzi outside of his restaurant Mama Bird in Northwest Portland.

The two encouraged people to write to their representatives in Congress and urge them to put more money in the fund.