BALTIMORE, MD—Restaurants in Baltimore impacted by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will receive much-needed financial relief thanks to a new partnership between Governor Wes Moore, DoorDash, and the Restaurant Association of Maryland. DoorDash will be providing $100,000 in relief grants and $100,000 in customer discounts to help eligible restaurants weather the economic storm caused by the bridge closure.

The grants, provided through DoorDash’s Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, aim to cover essential operating expenses like rent, mortgage payments, payroll, and other critical bills. To qualify, restaurants must be located in ZIP codes near the bridge, have between one and three physical locations, employ fewer than 50 employees per location, have been in operation for at least six months, and have earned less than $3 million in revenue per location over the past year. Applications are due by December 2nd.

“The loss of the Key Bridge has impacted so many people across the Baltimore community — from businesses to workers to the diners that they serve,” said Governor Moore. “These relief programs extend a lifeline to restaurants and workers who rely on business activity.” He expressed gratitude for the partnership between DoorDash and the Restaurant Association of Maryland, emphasizing its direct impact on helping restaurants stay afloat, retain employees, and continue contributing to Baltimore’s economy.

In addition to the grants, DoorDash customers will receive $100,000 in discounts on orders from eligible restaurants in the affected area. The discount will be automatically applied to eligible orders placed through the DoorDash app from November 1st to 21st.

“Local businesses are the heartbeat of the greater Baltimore community and we need to make sure they can build back even stronger,” said DoorDash Co-Founder and CEO Tony Xu. He emphasized the importance of local restaurants in providing community connection and hospitality, especially in times of difficulty.

Marshall Weston, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Hospitality means offering a hand up when others are in need, and the Restaurant Association knows that many people who work in our industry are still struggling without this vital part of Baltimore’s infrastructure.”

Restaurants impacted by the bridge closure are encouraged to visit DoorDash’s Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund webpage for more information and to apply for the grant program.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo by Bobby Petty, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers