Restaurant

“Mike and his team at LVRG have been instrumental members of the PRLA. This donation to HARP is such a huge help, as it will assist nearly 88 hospitality employees throughout the Commonwealth,” Bill Covaleski, chairman of the PRLA and founder and brewmaster of Victory Brewing Company, said in the release.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association launched HARP in April, to provide the immediate, emergency funding to hospitality workers — an industry that employs more than 700,000 — and hit hard by the pandemic. The aid is distributed as one-time, individual grants to for unemployed hospitality industry workers on first-come, firstserve basis, subject to the availability of funds.

According to the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, by mid-April, 96 percent of restaurateurs reported layoffs and furloughs and the average reduction of total staff statewide was about 85 percent.

According to information on the restaurant association’s website, 136 donors have contributed $230,702 to support HARP. To date, 922 people have received funds, including: servers, bartenders, front desk workers, housekeepers, receptionists, cashiers and cooks.

The PRLA is accepting applications and distributing grants as donations are brought in. Donations can be made online or by texting HARP to 44-321.

Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group Inc. is a Red Robin franchise covering the Lehigh Valley, Northeast, Southeast and Harrisburg regions.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association strives to “promote, protect and improve” the hospitality and tourism industries in Pennsylvania.