Bucs owners donate $100,000 to help St. Peterburg’s small businesses

TAMPA — The Glazer family, which owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are providing relief to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic on both sides of Tampa Bay.

The Glazers donated $100,000 Wednesday to the Fighting Chance Fund, an emergency grant created to serve St. Petersburg’s locally owned and independently operated small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 orders. Their donation is the third $100,000 donation to the fund. The Vinik Family Foundation and the Milkey Family Foundation both previously wrote six-figure checks.

“During these difficult days, there are many needs that require immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of so many throughout our region," Darcie Glazer Kassewitz said in a statement. "Mayor (Rick) Kriseman’s Fighting Chance Fund provides the critical resources that so many small business owners in the area need at a time like this. We are committed to helping communities throughout Tampa Bay get through these difficult times by providing support and hope for better days to come.”

On Tuesday, the Glazers contributed $100,000 to a fund operated by the City of Tampa to help people with rent and utility payments during the pandemic.

The Fighting Chance Fund is an emergency grant in the form of $5,000 awarded to impacted-eligible businesses and $500 to individuals.

“The Glazer family has really come through for our region and our city in this critical time," Kriseman said. “St. Pete’s small and locally owned businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their generous gift will help us to further assist them during this global pandemic. I am incredibly grateful for their generosity during this challenging time.”

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