PG&E Foundation Funding Will Provide
$5,000 Grants to 154 Restaurants,
Commercial Caterers
OAKLAND,
Calif., June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the
fourth consecutive year, The PG&E Corporation Foundation
(PG&E Foundation) is providing grants 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 PG&E Foundation is contributing $900,000 this year to help build more resilient
hometown businesses for the long term. The contribution will fund
$5,000 grants to 154 restaurants and
commercial caterers in Pacific Gas and Electric Company's
(PG&E) service area.
In total, CRF's Restaurants Care Resilience Fund will provide
grants across California of nearly
$1.4 million to 278 independent
restaurants this year. 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
strengthen restaurants so that they can continue contributing to
local economies and communities.
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 too 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.
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.
Kitchen space is tight, which has posed challenges in keeping up
with guest orders," said Cinthya
Cisneros, owner of La Cheve Bakery and Brews. "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."
(See our "From Kitchen to Community" video featuring restaurant
grant recipients in PG&E's service area.)
"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. We are proud to continue our partnership
with the California Restaurant Foundation to help boost our local
eating establishments and our local economies," said Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President,
Corporate Affairs, PG&E Corporation, and Chair of the Board,
The PG&E Corporation Foundation.
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.
"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 restaurant owners, helping
to fortify small businesses at the center of our communities."
Apply Now through June
30
Resilience Fund applications will be open June 15 through June 30, 2024, and can be found
at www.restaurantscare.org/resilience. Grants are open to all
California-based restaurant owners
and commercial caterers in PG&E's service area that have fewer
than five locations and less than $3
million in annual revenue. Priority will be given to
restaurants that have not previously received a grant; however,
former recipients can also apply.
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.
The PG&E Foundation's funding for this charitable donation
comes from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.
Assisting Restaurants and Small and Medium Businesses
PG&E remains committed to providing ways for its small and
medium business customers to save energy and money amid recent
economic hardships including the pandemic and recent inflation.
Here are some ways PG&E is helping its customers:
- On-Bill Financing: PG&E offers 0% interest loans for
replacing old and worn-out equipment with more energy-efficient
models. Watch this video to explore how energy savings are
reinvested back into your business to help improve your bottom
line.
- Rebates for food service equipment: PG&E offers several
rebate programs that will help you save money and improve
productivity when you upgrade your food service equipment.
- Budget Billing: If you are a small business owner, you can have
a predictable bill each month by enrolling in Budget Billing. The
program averages out your monthly bill to determine your monthly
payment, instead of having unpredictable summer bills.
- Energy Efficiency Programs: PG&E contracts with external
companies to provide a customize solution for different business
sectors.
- Find Your Best Rate Plan: Customers can use this online tool to
run a rate analysis to see if they are on the best rate plan for
their operations. The tool is projected to save customers over
$9.5 million this year.
- Economic Development Rate: This offers eligible business
customers the opportunity to lower costs through one of three
reduced electric rate options. PG&E developed this rate to help
businesses grow or maintain jobs in California. The standard 12% rate is available
throughout our service territory.
For more information on PG&E Small and Medium Business
customer support, visit pge.com/smbsupport.
About The PG&E Corporation Foundation
The PG&E
Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E
Corporation.
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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company