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The Latino Restaurant Association (LRA) continues to offer grants for restaurants in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties, extending its original application deadline last month in an effort to provide continued support for Latino-owned eateries.

The grants, sponsored by SoCalGas, will provide financial assistance to 35 restaurants in the region, featuring restaurants and owners or Latino heritage and who have had a positive impact in their local Latino neighborhoods.

The application period for the grant opened in late July and was initially slated to close at the end of August; since the application period opened the LRA has extended the deadline to Sept. 20.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with SoCalGas to support our local restaurants, especially those owned by members of the Latino community,” said LRA CEO Lilly Rocha. “This grant program is designed to help these businesses thrive and continue contributing to our vibrant local economy.”

She went on to express her belief in the power of local restaurants and their commitment to continued support of the Latino community.

In order to be eligible, restaurants must meet the following criteria:

–Own up to three restaurant locations
–Generate less than $1 million annually
–Operated for more than three years
–Applicants must be a current SoCalGas customer
–Applicants must be a member of the LRA (more information can be found here)

Additionally, free two-year memberships are available to restaurants located in South Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties by using the code VKF2024 to bypass payment on the LRA sigh-up page.

“At SoCalGas we value diverse, local restaurants and recognize the contributions they make to our communities,” said SoCalGas Vice President of Communications, local government and community affairs and LRA Board member Andy Carrasco. “These grants will provide some relief and can be used toward the purchase of interior equipment, technology upgrades, employee benefits or other changes that will support their small business.”

For additional information or to apply visit the LRA’s website.