North Texans support each other when times get tough, and that’s especially true for Marilyn and Marty Englander, fundholders and owners of Kent & Co. Wine Bar on Magnolia Avenue.
With retailers, restaurants, bars, art venues and event spaces closed or operating at reduced capacity, many local creatives and service industry employees are experiencing significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis.
“We wanted to figure out a way to potentially give back, and we came up with an idea,” said Marty.
That’s when the Englanders partnered with Near Southside Inc. to launch the Southside Culinary Arts Retail Entertainment and Service Fund (Southside CARES) to offer financial relief grants to employees of businesses located in the district. Through their fund at North Texas Community Foundation, the Englanders provided the lead gift to the effort in addition to providing a match for gifts.
The Englanders also lent their space for a virtual benefit concert featuring Grammy award-winning artist, Leon Bridges, to help rally support of Southside CARES. Within a matter of hours, the Englanders’ gift was matched and more than 1,650 individuals donated to the fundraising over $175,000.
“We believe giving is more contagious than this disease,” continued Marty.
Thanks to the generosity of the Englanders and the Fort Worth community, over 550 community members received financial support from Southside CARES. For many, the Southside CARES grant was the only financial assistance they had received since the pandemic began.
