Local restaurants affected by recent flooding in Nova Scotia can now apply for relief funding to help them recover through the DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, which is now open to eligible restaurants in Canada.
While local restaurants strive to serve their customers, natural disasters can affect businesses and their ability to operate. In fact, the average small business loses $3,000 every day it remains closed due to a natural disaster — a burden particularly difficult for small businesses.
“Nova Scotia has been deeply impacted by natural disasters this summer,” said Shilpa Arora, General Manager of DoorDash Canada. “While business owners are worried about the safety of their communities, they shouldn’t have to worry about the impacts of lost revenue during an emergency. We’re committed to doing our part to help local restaurants during these difficult times.”
Administered in partnership with Global Entrepreneurship Network, the program provides restaurants with grants for a variety of important expenses including payroll for existing employees, developing new products or services, sourcing or expanding inventory, marketing and advertising and general operating expenses like utilities or rent.
There will be three application windows over the next year for Canadian restaurants to request financial assistance:
First Round - July 5 - September 29, 2023
Second Round - October 2 - December 31, 2023
Third Round - January 2 - March 29, 2024
Merchant eligibility requirements include:
Experiencing hardship due to a provincially or federally declared natural disaster
Operating a brick-and-mortar location
Owning three stores or less
Employing fewer than 50 employees per location
Being open for at least six months
Revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months
Canadian restaurants impacted by natural disasters can apply here.
