-- Established Fund to support Ontario restaurants and bars --
April 1, 2021 – The Ontario hospitality sector is hurting and GotSkill?, the Vaughan distributer of skill based games, is doing what it can to raise awareness about the need to support local restaurants and bars. Company president Tony Carvalho has connected with leaders in the hospitality industry as well as elected representatives, and he helped establish the Restaurant & Bar Support Fund to provide grants for businesses needing relief.
Gotskill? is a founding partner in of this fund (www.RestaurantAndBarSupportFund.ca), a registered not-for-profit organization created to help support as many Ontario food and beverage establishments as possible to reopen and recover from the financial setbacks of the pandemic. The Fund is currently paying businesses one-time grants of up to $5,000.
“Restaurants and bars need our help to get through this rough patch,” says Tony Carvalho. “While governments at all levels are providing support programs, it is evident that more relief is needed. Every week we see more establishments having to close their doors. It is up to all of us to provide a hand up, and we are doing what we can.”
“Behind the closures is the dire impact felt by real people. Every lost business brings an end to a dream, to the livelihood for a family, and job losses for the staff. We must step up to make sure this terrible year doesn’t permanently board up our food and beverage businesses,” says Carvalho.
Since March 2020, Restaurant Canada reports that 10,000 businesses closed and more than 800,000 food and beverage jobs have been lost. A recent Restaurant Canada survey reveals that within the next six months one in two (48 percent) of food service operators expect to permanently close their establishment if conditions do not improve.
The Restaurant & Bar Support Fund is one way to provide support for this beleaguered sector. Carvalho explains the Fund has an independent grant selection committee of businesspeople who are reviewing applicants to determine their eligibility and the amount of grant relief. Priority is being given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to their staff and neighbourhood.
“Currently the need for funds is more than the money available, but we are looking for more corporate partners to step up,” says Carvalho.
The goal for the Fund over the next 12 months is to raise $5 million and assist a minimum of 1,000 Ontario food and beverage businesses. All money received by the Fund will be distributed.
“At the end of the day, we want to be satisfied that we've done everything we could possibly do to support Ontario restaurants and bars,” says Carvalho.
GotSkill? / SBG - Skills Based Games Inc.
SBG - Skill Based Games Inc. (SBG) is a Canadian distributor of GotSkill? games developed for installation in the hospitality sector (restaurants, bars, pool halls, cafes, bowling alleys, entertainment establishments, etc.). The games are skill-based, requiring hand-eye coordination, and include the opportunity for cash prizes. SBG’s GotSkill? games are fun, entertaining, legal, and 100% skill-based. Visit: www.gotskill.ca
Visit www.gotskill.ca for more information or contact:
Tony Carvalho - 905.264.4567 or tonyc@gotskill.ca
