To further support the local restaurant industry impacted by COVID-19, OLD BAY, McCormick For Chefs and the COREcares Foundation teamed up to introduce the Maryland Restaurant Relief Fund. The fund is offering up to $2,500 in grants to qualifying Maryland-based operators of restaurants and bars in need of financial assistance during the pandemic crisis.

OLD BAY and McCormick For Chefs started the fund with a $100,000 donation. The fund is open to public donations from individuals and businesses, and they are challenging other manufacturers, vendors and companies in foodservice to donate to this cause to help as many restaurants and bars as possible. 100% of the funds will go directly to operators in need.

To qualify for grant assistance, Maryland restaurant and bar operators must provide the federal tax ID for their establishment, the number of employees, as well as two to three sentences on how the funds will be used. Applications will be fulfilled on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted.

“McCormick has called Maryland home for more than 130 years, so we remain deeply committed to supporting our local restaurant community during this difficult time,” says Bjoern Leyser, Vice President Sales and Marketing at McCormick For Chefs. “Operators are treading a tightrope as some restaurants are forced to close or flip their business model, but we know the foodservice industry is resilient and that together we will persevere.”

“The COREcares Foundation is proud to be partnering with OLD BAY and McCormick For Chefs in announcing the Maryland Restaurant Relief Fund,” says president Andrea Evanter at the COREcares Foundation. “This partnership affects our shared local community in Maryland and will provide immediate and significant relief to struggling restaurants and bars due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”