Help Loretta a Single Mom Overcome Devastating Grant Loss

Dear Community,

I was one of the 2,965 Women, Minority, & Veteran Restaurant owners that were awarded an SBA Restaurant Revitalization Grant, but it was subsequently rescinded because of a lawsuit filed by America First Legal, a conservative advocacy group founded by Stephen Miller. Yes, that same Stephen Miller, the fellow currently in the White House writing policies that target and discriminate against women, and immigrants, while tearing down policies of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund was designated to help small restaurants. This fund was allotted by Congress during a declared National Covid Disaster. The SBA Application portal opened and I went through the entire Grant process which was no small task and I immediately submitted my application. The SBA promised a 21 day prioritization period for Veterans, Women and Minorities. I was awarded a grant of $31,795. I was so relieved and happy, I cried. It meant a lot to me as a newly divorced single mom just trying to survive the pandemic era crisis. Not only would it have helped my small local business survive, I could continue providing for my kids, I could employ more staff and pay for the much needed equipment and inventory I had green-lighted the moment I was promised the SBA grant.

I received my award letter and was told the money would be transferred into my checking account. Unbeknownst to me there was pending litigation, all the while I was making business decisions based on the grant money promised to me.

On June 12th I received the devastating letter that my SBA Restaurant Revitalization Grant was being taken away from me and the other women & minority business owners. While the SBA managed to pay out 72% of the prioritized grants, Stephen Miller’s lawsuit froze out the group of us 2,965 from being funded. We weren't just being rescinded, we were singled out and put to the end of the line. We wouldn't be considered until ALL other applications were processed and only "if" funds were still available. This essentially shut us out.

The National Restaurant Association reported the average grant awarded was $283,000, while $10 million grants were given to Marriot/Embassy, Walt Disney World France Pavilion, Panera, McDonalds, Dunkins. $5 million grants were awarded to the likes of Peter Luger Steakhouse, along with other major chains and golf courses.

After reading the lawsuit I was beside myself. It clearly stated in the legal filings Stephen Miller's America First Legal had sued claiming discrimination of 2 white male owned businesses. of which one hadn't even applied for the RRF until after the Veteran, women, minority prioritization period had closed and the other hadn't even applied for the grant AT ALL, yet they both felt “injured.”

They requested a nationwide injunction, shutting us out and leaving me in a worse-off position than where I started. In the end we were punished, I therefore was punished for being a minority woman owned small business. We never asked for prioritization, the SBA just did it, I just happened to file faster, I might mention faster than the above mentioned plaintiffs that filed suit.

I was later solicited by the SBA to accept an EIDL / Emergency Disaster Loan which I was forced to do since I had already incurred the unplanned debt, and still dealing with the effects of the declared national economic disaster. This unplanned debt was incurred because I had been promised/awarded/rescinded the Revitalization grant. I now have an unplanned loan payment which is a hardship for any small business. I have applied for the SBA hardship payment assistance which only lowers the monthly payment temporarily and will soon expire. Unlike the PPP loan forgiveness that many big businesses and our own Congress members approved and enjoyed for their own businesses, Congress decided the SBA Emergency Disaster Loans will have no option for forgiveness.

This is where I need my community’s kind help, in order to keep going and growing my small family business I need your support, now more than ever.

I feel very vulnerable in asking for help, but I trust in my caring community to reach out a hand and help put me back on my original path and help right this wrong before my SBA loan payment accommodation ends. The GoFundMe funds will be used to repay the emergency disaster loan which is a tremendous burden on my small business. I have invested heavily in my business and equipment and could sustain the business if not for that burden. I appreciate your help and support more than you could ever know as you would be supporting my passion that is to keep on cooking for my community. And I promise as always to pay it forward.

Much love,

Loretta

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Peruvian Kitchen

13770 SW Pacific Hwy

Tigard, OR 97223