Papa John’s founder John Schnatter made a huge announcement on Friday when he revealed that he will be donating $1 million to help small businesses all over the United States as they continue to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m pleased to announce that I’m donating $1,000,000 from my private foundation to help small businesses survive right now,” Schnatter said in a press release. “Times have never been harder for so many business owners, and I understand what it takes to come back from tough financial times. As economies begin to re-open over the next month, I’m privileged to play a small part in the recovery of small businesses as they struggle to survive and return to normal. As a nation, we’re all in this together. Now it’s time to get small businesses and workers in America back on their feet so we can be better than ever as one nation.”
The money will come from the John H. Schnatter Family Foundation and will be given to various nonprofit organizations that aim to assist in the recovery for small businesses and workers. Some money will also be distributed directly to small business owners themselves.
Small businesses all over the country have shut down as state-at-home orders due to COVID-19 continue to be in effect in most places. The Courier Journal reported that the latest estimates state that 100,000 small companies a day across the country could be forced to close permanently due to the sudden recession this pandemic has caused.
Not stopping with his donation, Schnatter has also launched the website givebackwithpapa.com, which offers custom merchandise like personal face masks, bandanas, T-shirts, hats and mugs in exchange for donations for his charity. The Papa John’s founder has said that he will match all donations and contribute the funds raised for coronavirus relief.
“Go to GiveBackWithPapa.com, and you can get some ‘Papa Gear’ – all made in the USA – with all net proceeds going to charity,” he wrote on Instagram. “And I’m going to match you dollar for dollar! We’re going to get through this together. Papa Bless!”
God bless Schnatter for going above and beyond to help America’s small businesses, right when they need it most!
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