Texas Conference for Women Donates $177,500 to Women-Owned Restaurants in Initiative with Texas Restaurant Association

In an effort to help those impacted by a pandemic-battered economy, the Texas Conference for Women has donated $177,500 to women-owned restaurants across the state in an initiative with the Texas Restaurant Association. As a result, 71 women-owned restaurants from all corners of Texas – from Amarillo to Laredo – received $2,500 to help pay employees and defray other costs. The Texas Conference for Women provided the funds to the Texas Restaurant Association’s Texas Restaurant Relief Fund, which dispersed the grants.

Here’s what some of the grantees did with the money:

• Bar 508: We used our grant money to remodel some areas of the restaurant that were in need of repair, specifically removing graffiti and replacing plants from areas that were damaged during the pandemic shutdown.
• Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater: The grant helped us with the cost of printing disposable menus, and keeping all our staff employed on full payroll
• Zulma’s Mexican Restaurant: With this grant I was able to extend one more day of employment to my employee. We had been in a very tight budget but this grant help me pay her an extra day of salary and this way I was able to keep her employed.

How You Can Help

Please consider patronizing the small businesses below by stopping by, ordering takeout, or buying a gift certificate. Additionally, here are some ideas offered by restaurant owners themselves:

• Try not to be too critical in online forums—this can be devastating to a small business trying to navigate a crisis.
• Order takeout or make dine-in reservations. Some businesses also sell merchandise and gift cards.
• Try ordering directly from the restaurant or asking them which third party service charges them the lowest fee.
• Follow & engage with your favorite spots on social media to help spread the word.
• Prioritize small local restaurants when booking catering for social and corporate events.

Meet the Grant Recipients: