Rochester Seeking Restaurants For Second Phase Of Senior Meal Program

Press release from the City of Rochester:

November 12 2020

Mayor Lovely A. Warren today announced today that the City is seeking up two dozen restaurants to participate in the second phase of the Senior Meal Program to provide free meal delivery to city seniors with transportation challenges.

“The first round of this program was a tremendous success and I’m looking forward to partnering with even more local restaurants to keep it going through winter,” said Mayor Warren. “This initiative will help us emerge from this pandemic and continue our mission to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.”

Under the program, the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development will award Restaurant Grants of up to $24,900 to support selected restaurants in each quadrant of the city that agree to prepare and deliver free meals to area seniors for up to four months. Phase I of the program was highly successful and supported 20 businesses though the delivery of almost 14,000 free meals to city seniors. In Phase II, the City is seeking to partner with up to 24 city restaurants to deliver meals to area seniors, age 60 and above, who are unable to travel or frequent restaurants due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The City is contracting with Goodwill and its 211/Life Line program to perform facilitated enrollment services. Selected restaurants will coordinate with Goodwill to provide and deliver the free meals to seniors enrolled in the program at designated dates and times. Restaurants can use third-party delivery companies to support the operation.

The grants will be used by the selected restaurants as working capital to offset the operational expenses associated with the program. Funding for the program is provided through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

To receive a Restaurant Grant, restaurants must operate within the city and be in good standing with all regulatory requirements, including zoning codes, taxes and fees, insurance and fair hiring practices.

The program is pending final approval from City Council and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To learn about the grant or to obtain an application, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/restaurantgrant/.

Applications are due Nov. 25.

News Media: For more information, contact Bridgette Burch White at 428-6064 or Bridgette.Burchwhite@cityofrochester.gov.

This press release was produced by the City of Rochester. The views expressed here are the author’s own.