ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The application period for hospitality and tourism industry employees seeking $250-$500 hurricane relief grants opened on Nov. 14.
On Nov. 13, The Center of Anna Maria Island released a three-page information sheet that details the application process and eligibility requirements for the grants available to hurricane-impacted hospitality and tourism industry employees in Cortez, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key.
Rock ‘N’ Support hurricane relief grants applications can be submitted online at The Center website.
The hurricane relief funds were generated by the Rock ‘N’ Support concert at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto on Nov. 15 with southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining the show and Marcus King as the opening act. All of the Rock ‘N’ Support concert proceeds will benefit hurricane-impacted hospitality and tourism employees.
The grants are available to hospitality and tourism industry employees who were displaced by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton and/or experienced lost wages, evacuation expenses, damage to their home or damage to their belongings.
Eligible employees must be employed at a business located in one of the following zip codes: 34215 (Cortez), 34216 (Anna Maria), 34217 (Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach), 34218 (Bradenton Beach) or the Manatee County portion of 34228 (Longboat Key). To be eligible, an employee had to be employed at a business located in one of those zip codes for six months prior to Sept. 26 and hired on or before March 26.
Full-time employees who averaged more than 25 hours per week are eligible for a $500 grant. Part-time employees who averaged less than 25 hours per week are eligible for a $250 grant. The full-time/part-time determinations will be based on the average number of hours worked during the four weeks prior to Sept. 26.
The application form includes basic questions regarding the employee’s hire date, how their employment was impacted by the hurricanes and what hardships the hurricane-related employment interruptions caused. Applicants will also be asked to upload photos or copies of their driver’s license or valid ID and copies of their pay stubs for the four weeks prior to Sept. 26.
The list of eligible food service employees includes cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, hostesses, hosts and bussers. The list of eligible hotel employees includes front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, concierge and valet parking personnel. The list of eligible event industry personnel includes caterers, salespeople and operations personnel. Tour operators, including charter boat captains, watersports guides and rental support staff, are also eligible for the grants.
Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Incomplete applications will be declined and can be resubmitted. Applicants will be notified by email when their application is approved or denied.
Checks will be mailed to the address listed on the application or they can be picked up in person at the Shuckin’ Good Cause office at 6688 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton.
The grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as the Rock ‘N’ Support funds are available. The grant program will end when the funds are exhausted. Applying for a grant does not guarantee receiving a grant and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Related coverage: Lynyrd Skynyrd lends its Rock ‘N’ Support
