BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The current financial crisis due to COVID-19 has left many people unemployed, feeling frustrated and helpless in a time of extreme vulnerability. That's why 23ABC is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses rebound.
One local petroleum company decided to help restaurants rebound by creating their own small business stimulus so to speak. Every year, Sullivan Petroleum Company and Sully's convenience stores give personalized gifts to about 70 vendors and customers during their annual company Christmas party.
However, given the unique circumstances this year with COVID-19, they couldn't hold a Christmas party. So the company is going a different route by investing the budget for the party back into the community.
The company announced it has purchased 70 gift cards from seven different local restaurants that may be struggling. They picked local favorites like Wiki's, Luigi's, and Salty's BBQ because they're all locally owned.
"We've been fortunate enough to be deemed essential during this period of time. We haven't had to go through the same restrictions that they have and we just don't want to see those places we grew up on just disappear forever," said Tim Sullivan Jr., Vice President of Business Operations. "They're hard-working people just like us, and they're are going through some really tough times.
This is the lease we could do to help out the community that has made us successful as well."
The gift cards are worth a total of $14,000, or $200 per card. The cards will be given to vendors at Sully's gas stations for them to them use at those restaurants.
WATCH OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH TIM SULLIVAN JR:
