ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today announced that DoorDash will offer $100,000 relief grants through their Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to help support eligible Baltimore-area restaurants that continue to experience negative economic impacts as the result of the DALI striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge. DoorDash will also offer up to $100,000 in discounts to customers who purchase orders from eligible restaurants.
“The loss of the Key Bridge has impacted so many people across the Baltimore community — from businesses to workers to the diners that they serve. These relief programs extend a lifeline to restaurants and workers who rely on business activity,"
said Gov. Moore. “I’m grateful to DoorDash and the Restaurant Association of Maryland for this incredibly important and impactful partnership, which will directly help restaurants remain open, retain workers, and continue to generate economic activity for communities in Baltimore.”
Relief grants may be used to help cover essential operation expenses including rent, mortgage payments, payroll, and other critical bills. To apply for the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, local restaurants that are located in ZIP codes near the site of the Key Bridge must demonstrate impact from the loss of the Key Bridge; have between one and three brick-and-mortar locations; have fewer than 50 employees per location’ have been open for at least six months; and have revenues of $3 million or less per location in the past 12 months.
Applications must be submitted by Dec. 2.
“Local businesses are the heartbeat of the greater Baltimore community and we need to make sure they can build back even stronger. In the wake of a disaster, communities need the connection and hospitality that local restaurants offer more than ever,”
said DoorDash Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Tony Xu. “DoorDash is honored to be working with Governor Moore and the Restaurant Association of Maryland in our shared purpose to help these beloved local restaurants continue to recover and connect with the best of their neighborhoods.”
In addition to relief grants for impacted local restaurants, DoorDash is also offering $100,000 in discounts for DoorDash customers to patronize restaurants located in communities that were most impacted by the loss of the Key Bridge. DoorDash customers can take advantage of these discounts by placing orders between Nov. 1-21. Customers in the Baltimore area will see a promotional notice in the DoorDash mobile application that offers a discount on eligible orders from local restaurants.
“Hospitality means offering a hand up when others are in need, and the Restaurant Association knows that many people who work in our industry are still struggling without this vital part of Baltimore’s infrastructure,”
said Restaurant Association of Maryland Chief Executive Officer Marshall Weston. “We look forward to working closely with DoorDash and Governor Moore to help make sure that RAM members and the broader Baltimore community have the resources they need to build back stronger.”
To learn more and apply, visit Door Dash’s
Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund webpage.