The Greater Topeka Partnership and GO Topeka are pleased to announced that the donations raised through the HOST Relief Program were delivered this week to 30 additional Shawnee County small businesses; this represents $120,000 in new relief distribution. To date, a total of 76 small businesses have received HOST Relief private funding. HOST, or Helping Others Support Topeka, was created to provide emergency funding to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, $655,000 in private HOST Relief donations have been raised to purchase gift cards from local businesses; $305,000 of these funds been distributed to over 1,200 furloughed workers in Shawnee County.
“The thank yous from businesses and their employees continue to come in each day,” said Barbara Stapleton, vice president of business retention & talent initiatives for GO Topeka. “Deep expressions of true gratitude, so thankful for gift cards, but more importantly, for the recognition that what they’re going through matters and that there is help and support to acknowledge their struggles during such a difficult time.”
“The HOST Grant programs have been a lifeline to small businesses providing cash flow, the lifeblood of a small business, during a critical time of need,” said Karl Klein, regional director for the Small Business Development Center.
Additional recipients will be announced in the weeks to come.
The businesses that received private donations this week are:
El Dorado North
Monsoon Indian Grill
Cook's American Grill
North Star Steakhouse
The Burger Stand
Tuptim Thai
The Wheel Barrel
Smallcakes
Affinity Hair & Nails
PT's Coffee
Mexican Taco Shop
Soul Fire Food Company
Bobo's Drive In
Mikey's Bar & Grill
Milk & Honey
Townsite Cafe & Catering
Washburn Auto Service
Schlotzsky's
Herman's Meat & Smokehouse
Fuzzy's Tacos
Yuki Restaurant of Japan
Chuckburger
Kickstart Saloon
Briggs Auto
Rees Fruit Farm
Lionheart Athletic Performance
Hazel Hill Chocolate
Essentia Salon & Spa
Tailgator's
The Blue Moose
Connie's Corner Cafe
Moburts
Josey Baking Company
LaRocca's Pizza
Tequila's Mexican Restaurant
Orange Leaf
HOST Relief Program Donors:
Alma Creamery
Capital City Oil
Capitol Strategies (John and Michelle Peterson)
Capitol Federal
Creative One
David and Danielle Byers
Don and Nancy Daniels
Eaton Roofing
Ed Eller Inc.
Eric and Maggie Hunsicker
Edward Jones Associates of Shawnee County
Evergy
Federal Home Loan Bank
Gary and Carol Hunsicker
Gary Woodland
Innovation Design Group
Jared and Lisa Anderson
Jeff Martin
Kansas City Life
Kansas Financial Resources
Kansas Secured Title
Kevin and Nancy Alexander
Lance Sparks Trust
Magellan Financial
Mark and Aron Krueger
Mark and Lisa Heitz
Mark and Sandy Ruelle
Market Synergy
MCP Build
McElroy’s
Mike and Gina Miller
The Nellis Family
Schendel Lawn and Landscape
Security Benefit Group
Silver Lake Bank
TBS Electronics
Vaerus Aviation
Vision Bank
About HOST Relief Program
The HOST Relief Program is a small business emergency resource fund that was developed by private sector leaders and is being facilitated by GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership.
On April 1, the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) approved $1 million in additional grants to provide support to small businesses through the HOST Relief Program. Small businesses will be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in grant money through this program. These grants will be used to complement the private HOST Relief donations.
Applications for the HOST Relief Program may be found at SupportTopeka.com/HOST or by calling 785.246.6246 (English) or 785.246.6227 (Spanish).
About GO Topeka
GO Topeka creates opportunities for economic growth that provide a thriving business climate and fulfilling lifestyle for Topeka and Shawnee County. GO Topeka operates under the Greater Topeka Partnership, the leading economic development agency in the region.
About Greater Topeka Partnership
The Greater Topeka Partnership serves as the collaborative agency of eight distinct efforts that support the enhancement of economic development and quality of life in Topeka and Shawnee County. They include:
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Greater Topeka Chamber |
Downtown Topeka, Inc |
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Bob Ross at Bob.Ross@TopekaPartnership.com.
If you have questions regarding small business support, or what aid is available to you, you may call the following:
English – 785.246.6246
Spanish – 785.246.6227
