Rebuilding Together: Winthrop Foundation Gives a Boost to Local Businesses

Special to the Transcript

We’ve all seen the shuttered storefronts, tables and chairs stacked in corners, hand-written signs saying, “Closed Until Further Notice”.  Now that the state has begun to re-open, the Winthrop Foundation is doing its part.

Last week the Foundation announced a $26,250 economic stimulus grant, an injection of much-needed funding for some of our town’s small businesses. The Foundation is purchasing up to $750 in gift cards from each of 35 local stores — mostly food establishments.

The Board of Trustees are busy doing the legwork, going from business to business, purchasing $750 in gift cards from establishments around town. A partial list includes: High Tide, Letterie’s, Belle Isle Seafood, Blackstrap, Pizza Center, Hong Kong Dragon, Winthrop Marketplace, La Siesta, Café Rosetti’s, Twist & Shake, Center Café, Adriatic Restaurant, Go-Go, Express Burrito, Family Bakery, House of Pizza, Meat Market, Viking Pub, Osaka, Alia, Shore Side Café, Winthrop Arms, and several others.

The Foundation will distribute the gifts cards to charitable groups and town programs that serve Winthrop’s vulnerable residents — families, children, seniors, veterans and others. From the food pantry/bank, to Mi-Amore, to other groups serving essential needs, the Trustees felt that providing gift cards from local business to local programs was a win-win — a great way to keep Winthrop dollars in Winthrop, help businesses get back on their feet, while supporting organizations that help our townspeople.

Founded in May 2019 with support from Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo and Senator Joseph Boncore, the Winthrop Foundation has received $500,000 in Massport funding thus far. Trustees have awarded nearly $50,000 in emergency grants, and plan to launch a Regular Grant Application later this month. 

The Foundation will continue to support the people, programs and small businesses of Winthrop as they stand strong and carry on together.