Aaron Rodgers Donates $1 Million To Help 80 Small Business In His Hometown

Getty Image

Aaron Rodgers may have 15 years under his belt of living in Green Bay, but he certainly hasn’t forgotten about his small hometown of Chico, Calif. On Monday, Rodgers announced through his Small Business COVID-19 fund that he would be donating $1 million to help 80 small, locally owned businesses in his hometown and the entirety of Butte county California.

“Small, locally owned businesses are the heart and soul of a community,” Rodgers said in a statement. “In the applications and the videos, it was heart-wrenching to hear about all the obstacles facing restaurants and retail establishments. So many of them are struggling just to stay in business but remain hopeful that there’s an end to this.”

The 80 restaurants and small businesses will receive grants to help cover rent, on average, three months or longer and other operational costs. Nine of the business owners were notified personally by Rodgers. Rodgers started this fund by donating $500,000 of his own back in February of 2020 but increased that number to $1 million given the obvious need for assistance for small businesses around the country. He also made a $500,000 donation to the Barstool Fund which’s helping small businesses around the United States as well.

Small businesses around the United States have taken a major hit with thousands having to close their doors either temporarily or permanently. Small businesses in California have especially suffered given the strict lockdown protocols in place for the state. Good on Rodgers for helping out those in need back in his hometown.