Weekly Message ~ November 2020
Business News
Donate Winter Outerwear for Kids in Need
The weather is getting colder and the wind stronger as we head into the cold weather months. Most of us have the jackets, sweatshirts and coats to wear for more warmth, but some do not. Recology San Mateo County, in partnership with the City, is launching its annual Coats for Kids program to collect new and gently used coats to donate to those in need of a warm coat.

Due to city facility closures, the coat collection bin at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center will not be available this year. Recology will collect coats curbside from residential homes on their regular collection day, starting November 9 through November 13. Residents can place new and gently used coats in a clear plastic bag labeled “Coats for Kids” and place the bag next to or on top of their blue recycling cart.

At the end of the drive, Recology will deliver all of the donated coats to local nonprofit agencies for distribution to those in need. In the past, the coats were donated to families in need through St. Anthony’s and Samaritan House.
Menlo Park is Taking Applications for Grants to Support Local Nonprofit Agencies
The City of Menlo Park invites organizations to submit proposals for the Community Funding Grant Program. This grant will provide financial support to local nonprofit agencies whose programs respond to the human service needs of Menlo Park residents.

Grant details:
  • The funding will help subsidize any recipient agency and not be the sole support of any organization
  • All recipients of the grant will enter into a contractual agreement with the City that will have specific objectives
  • Grant recipients must fully use all funds by June 30, 2021
  • A City Council subcommittee will review all applications.

Complete the application online by 5 pm, Friday, November 13, 2020.
San Mateo County Small Business Relief Fund
Grants Up to $25,000
To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on San Mateo County small business owners and their employees, the County of San Mateo Board of Supervisors, has partnered with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, to distribute grants of $5,000 - $25,000 to cover expenses in the following categories: payroll, lease payments for business premises, PPP, costs related to re-opening, or COVID related pivots to their business model (ex. e-commerce set up, menu changes, new permit fees, etc.)

To qualify, small business owners must live in one of the following zip-codes:

Daly City: 94014 and 94015
East Palo Alto: 94303
Menlo Park: 94025
Unincorporated Mid-Coast: 94038
Pescadero: 94060
Redwood City/NFO: 94061, 94063
San Mateo: 94401, 94403
South San Francisco/San Bruno: 94066, 94080

Recipients must own a small business whose net income for 2019 did not exceed $120,000. For partnerships, a person meeting the above qualifications must own 51% of the business. 

Further, business owners can benefit from business support services from Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center (this can include classes, workshops, and or 1:1 Consultation or Financial Coaching).
Funding is limited - please apply by Monday, November 30th.
Share Joy & Shop Small All Season Long!
This holiday season looks a little different, but we can still share joy.

Shop Small and support your favorite small businesses – both in-store and online – all holiday season long. Don’t forget: This year Small Business Saturday falls on November 28.

History of Small Business Saturday:

American Express cares deeply about thriving communities and believes small businesses are at the core of every successful neighborhood. That's why — in the midst of the recession in 2010 — they created Small Business Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

Around Menlo Park
The Climate Reality Project
Climate Reality Leadership Corps member Harriet Harvey Horn will deliver the most current version of Al Gore’s Climate Reality presentation (as seen in the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth") that aims to answer three key questions: Should we change? Can we change? Will we change?

She'll also provide hope, in the form of information as to what we as individuals can do.

Tuesday, November 17, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Online Event: Register Online

Diabetes Management Tips and Resources
Join Care Indeed for a monthly seminar featuring Vince Amazona, LVN, where he will discuss Diabetes management tips and resources on how to help a loved one or client living with the condition. 

Topics will include:
  • Understanding the disease process
  • Necessary precautions
  • Working with dietary restrictions/specialty diets
  • Monitoring medication and blood sugar levels

Thursday, November 12, 11 am to 12:30 pm
Online Event: Register Online

Members at Work
Draeger's Market Holiday Guide
Cater for Thanksgiving 2020 with Draeger's Market! They have many options for holiday dinners, entrées, sides, party platters and more.

Please place your order early in-store, or online at draegers.com.

Draeger's is closed Thanksgiving day! Order deadline is
Monday, November 23, 2020 at 12 noon.

Amici's November Deal
20% OFF Items of the Month at Amici's East Coast Pizzeria!

Enjoy 20% off Amici's items of the month:
New Haven White Clam Pizza & Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta

Offer valid on pick-up & delivery orders during the month of
November via amicis.com or mobile app. Use  'NOV20'  at checkout.
Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 | menloparkchamber.com