TRA seeks support for local restaurant community after Hurricane Beryl devastation

Texas Restaurant Association seeks support for local restaurant community after Hurricane Beryl devastation

Texas Restaurant Foundation activates TX Restaurant Relief Fund for impacted restaurants

HOUSTON, TEXAS - The Texas Restaurant Association is calling on Texans to support their fellow Texans in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which hit the state's coast on July 8. The devastation caused by the storm continues to impact the Houston and Galveston region, including many local restaurants, as a result of widespread power outages, wind and flood damage and lost business. With local restaurants reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, the TRA is asking Texans to visit their local restaurants and, for individuals and companies that were not impacted, consider a tax-deductible donation to the TX Restaurant Relief Fund.

"Like so many families and businesses, our restaurants in the Houston/Galveston region are struggling to recover from Hurricane Beryl and need help," said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. "One of the best things about Texans is we help our neighbors, and that's exactly what we're calling for today. If you were not impacted by the hurricane and you are able to help, please consider supporting our local restaurants through a visit, to-go meal, gift card, or even a trip down to the coast to escape the summer heat. Not only will this help our local restaurants with much-needed cash flow, but it will help entire communities recover."

For individuals and corporations that are interested in making a tax-free donation to support local restaurants, the Texas Restaurant Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has created the TX Restaurant Relief Fund. Donations will be used to provide grants to local, impacted restaurants to help them make payroll and reopen.

The storm hit the region's restaurants on the heels of heat-depressed summer traffic and flooding, causing restaurants that were already hurting to experience even more lost business. While insurance may eventually cover some of these costs for businesses with the most expensive policies, even in that best case scenario, it is difficult for many local restaurants to cover deductibles and immediate expenses in the meantime when they have lost days of revenue. To help, the TRA is providing restaurants with a host of resources on disaster response and recovery.

"Texans' generosity and grit are legendary, which is why we're excited to announce that the coast is open and most of our restaurants are back and ready to welcome visitors," said Christina Garavaglia, executive director for the Southeast Texas Region of the TRA. "Every dollar spent in a Texas restaurant generates $2.35 to the local economy, so simply dining out or ordering to-go is a great way to spend time with family or friends while helping our local communities rebuild from Hurricane Beryl."

The Houston and Galveston regions are home to roughly 14,000 restaurants, supporting over 286,000 employees and their families. The Texas Restaurant Association is committed to helping every foodservice business recover and is encouraging the community to donate and/or patronize our local restaurants, as the majority of restaurants in the region are open and ready to serve.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. Now the state's largest private sector employer, Texas' $106 billion foodservice industry encompasses more than 56,000 restaurant locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance and educate a growing industry as the TRA celebrates its 87th anniversary year. For more information, please visit txrestaurant.org.