SBDC partners with Family Resource Center for Restaurant Resiliency

Originally Published: Fairfield Daily Republic, June 18, 2021

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District is teaming up with the Solano Small Business Development Center and the Workforce Development Board of Solano County to provide hot meals prepared by local restaurants to families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Restaurant Resiliency Program, created by Wells Fargo, will fund hot and nutritious meals from Fairfield and Vallejo restaurants for families and individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. The FSUSD Anna Kyle Elementary Family Resource Center will oversee the distribution of meals.

This innovative program is expected to provide approximately 850 meals to low-income families residing in Fairfield. Families can pick up meals every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the FSUSD Anna Kyle FRC, located at 1600 Kidder Ave., Fairfield. The distribution is scheduled to continue through October 2021.

“Now more than ever, we understand that coordination and partnerships with local businesses and agencies are critical to ensure the needs of our community are met. The FSUSD Anna Kyle FRC is excited to be partnering with the Workforce Development Board and Solano Small Business Development in launching this new program,” said Marbeya Ellis, FSUSD Family Resource Manager.

In addition to providing meals for vulnerable populations, the program will provide a financial boost to small restaurants still recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic. Participating restaurants will be reimbursed $25 for each meal provided and will receive one full year of additional support and services from the California Restaurant Association Foundation.

“Any restaurant in Vallejo or Fairfield is eligible to participate in this program but we will be giving priority to those businesses with 15 or fewer employees because we know those are the ones that have been hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Tim Murrill, director of the Solano-Napa SBDC. “We are so grateful for the generosity of Wells Fargo that will benefit our restaurants and low-income individuals in our community.”

For more information about the program, contact the FSUSD Family Resource Manager and District Homeless Liaison, Marbeya Ellis at MarbeyaE@fsusd.org.