Lake Havasu City is known for its outstanding hospitality and is always there to greet visitors who come to the area for recreation and fun. Now Lake Havasu is there for those workers that are on the hospitality front lines normally welcoming those visitors.

The Lake Havasu Helps Hospitality program announced this week that an infusion of cash has made it possible to continue helping those who work in the hospitality sector struggling with unemployment because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hospitality Association president Matt Brewster said the program will be available through May 7.

“We are happy to announce that we have funded the Lake Havasu Helps Hospitality program through May 7. This is good news for many of our staff that have been laid off and restaurants that are struggling with only to-go options,” Brewster said in a recent email communication.

Last week, the program handed out 3,700+ vouchers for meals. Brewster said that is around 500 average vouchers per operational day.

With funding running low to continue the voucher program, this could have been the last week, according to Brewster.

Mohave Mortgage donates to the Hospitality Association. photo courtesy Hospitality Association.

But earlier this week, the Hospitality Association board members voted to match Go Lake Havasu by adding $20,000 more in funding to ensure completing this week and being able to be available next week. In total, the effort has secured, along with some local donations, a total of over $60,000 to support this program. Other donors include the Lake Havasu Firefighters Association and Mohave Mortgage.

“We are grateful to be a part of such an incredible operation that can help so many people in such dire conditions. These are our people, our staff, our team members, our neighbors, friends, kids, grandkids, associates, roommates, etc., that are having difficulty not only making ends meet but having a means to be able to feed themselves and their families. It is very real to see the single mom break down and cry because she can feed herself and her kids tonight because of this program. Yes, this is happening right here,” Brewster said.

Donations are needed to continue the program beyond next week. Brewster said many employees have not been able to access the state unemployment system and have not yet received their emergency stimulus funds.

For information about donating to the Havasu Helps fund, contact the Lake Havasu Hospitality Association located at 90 Acoma Blvd., Suite 100, or call Brewster at 928-577-7873.

Those seeking vouchers are asked to visit the KAWS building at 2144 McCulloch Blvd., during voucher hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 3 to 6 p.m. Voucher seekers are asked to provide their personal information, their employment information including phone numbers for verification, to be considered.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with the program. Sign un for available volunteer spaces at https://volunteersignup.org/4WL9X.

Email info@lakehavasuhospitality.com or call 928-577-7873 for more information about the program. You can also check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lakehavasuhospitalityassociation/

Restaurants participating in the program for take-out orders are:

·         Barley Brothers Brewery

·         Cha-Bones

·         Martini Bay

·         Javelina Cantina

·         Frank-N-Steins Pub

·         College Street Brewery

·         La Vita Dolce

·         Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

·         Four Covers

·         Tavern 95

·         McKee’s

·         Jersey Mike’s

·         Ohana Poke Bowl LHC

·         Jersey’s Grill

·         Bad Miguel’s

·         Blue Chair

.         Ed’s Deli

·         and recently added Angelina’s Italian Kitchen