Diageo North America: Donates to Seattle’s Raising the Bar Stimulus Fund to Help Revive the City’s Hospitality Industry

0


$ 2.5 million pledge will support small minority-owned restaurants disproportionately affected by the pandemic

Diageo North America has committed $ 2.5 million to support small minority-owned businesses in the hospitality industry through Seattle’s Raising the Bar recovery fund, in partnership with Seattle nonprofits Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation and Friends of Little Saigon. Eligible businesses will receive a grant of up to $ 7,500 each.

While this fund will provide financial support to minority-owned restaurants in the Seattle area and help their recovery from the impact of the pandemic, given the city’s ethnic makeup, the program will facilitate resources to reach the ‘one of the largest minority communities – Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – where racial disparities have amplified the impact on their businesses.

“By partnering with local non-profit organizations, our goal is to support the revival of these small businesses and help local communities that need it most. With the closure of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund by the US Small Business Administration in July, we are excited to move forward and close the funding gap available to recovering hotel businesses, ”said Danielle Robinson, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Diageo North America. “We are proud to establish the Seattle Raising the Bar Stimulus Fund and support minority-owned restaurateurs who continue to face challenges even as the hospitality industry begins to recover.

The $ 2.5 million donated by Diageo North America will be managed and distributed independently through SCIDpda to help small businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19. The Washington Hospitality Association Education Foundation will expand the program and host the application process, supported by six-language translation services to applicants provided by SCIDpda. Comprised of the two organizations and the Friends of Little Saigon, a selection committee will review and determine which companies are eligible for grants.

“The past 19 months of the pandemic have highlighted the language barriers many businesses in our community face when accessing resources. We are grateful to Diageo and the Washington Hospitality Association for helping to make this opportunity a reality, ”said Jamie Lee, Director of Community Initiatives, SCIDpda.

“The hospitality industry has been hit hardest by the pandemic, with thousands of restaurants permanently closed in our state. And racial disparities as well as language barriers only compounded that impact. We are proud to join forces to help relieve struggling businesses ”, mentioned Anthony Anton, President and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association.

As part of Diageo American Community Fund, the company has become a founding contributor to the “Raising the Bar of New York State” Restaurant stimulus fund to help businesses adapt to the demands of the pandemic and financially supported recovery efforts for Chicago neighborhoods to help create more public spaces. In addition, many of the company’s brands – including Bulleit, Crown Royal, Seagram’s 7 Crown, Don Julio, Guinness, and Ketel One, among others – have carried out various initiatives to help the hospitality industry and those whose livelihoods are in need. been directly affected.

Eligible businesses can apply for Seattle’s Raising the Bar Stimulus Fund starting October 29e, at 10:00 a.m. PST until November 19e at 5:00 p.m. PST. To learn more about the fund and the application process, visit https://scidpda.org/recoveryfund/.

About Diageo North America

Diageo is a world leader in alcoholic beverages with an exceptional collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskeys, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos tequilas, DeLeon and Don Julio, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

For more information on Diageo, its people, its brands and its performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible consumption resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practices. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information on Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

About the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority

Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda) is a community development organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and develop the Seattle Chinatown International District (CID) as a vibrant community and unique ethnic neighborhood. Formed by the community in 1975, SCIDpda strives to revitalize and preserve the neighborhood by providing services in three main areas: affordable housing and commercial property management, community economic development and community engagement, and development immovable. SCIDpda has over 45 years of experience in increasing the sustainability of neighborhoods through innovative programs and projects that balance development and preservation. scidpda.org.

About the Washington Hospitality Association

The hotel industry is the industry that serves. The Washington Hospitality Association wins for the largest group of private employers in the state, and the 220,800 jobs offered by the industry are the backbone of our state’s economy. The association works nationally and locally to find proactive solutions to the difficult issues facing the industry and its workforce. It provides its members with the programs, services and information they need to deliver great local experiences, ensure the success of their employees and help their communities thrive. The Washington Hospitality Association became one of the state’s largest business associations in 2016 when the Washington Restaurant Association and the Washington Lodging Association joined forces in a combined association.


Share.

Leave A Reply