$25 gift cards being sent to Merced residents, as part of COVID-19 relief

Merced residents can soon expect to receive a postcard in the mail for the city’s $25 gift card program.

City residents will be able to redeem the gift cards on the Merced Cares website at www.mercedcares.com and can spend them at businesses ranging from restaurants to clothing shops, according to a city news release.

In June, the City Council approved the $500,000 gift card program as a way to benefit residents and business who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic fallout.

The gift card program is part of Merced’s COVID-19 Recovery Program which totaled $2.37 million in aid. The program also includes assistance to small businesses, the Food Bank, hotel operators, renters as well as a one-time utility rebate for all customers.

The city partnered with Giftbar in the program, which reduced its fees. “This gives a boost to local businesses that have been suffering during the pandemic, said Mayor Mike Murphy in the news release. “At the same time, it will be of assistance to our residents who have been deeply affected during the last six months.”

The notice sent out to residents will include a code and instructions for redeeming the gift card at businesses on the Merced Cares site. To allow the program to quickly support local small businesses, the city is urging residents to redeem the code as soon as possible.

According to the city, residents have a wide variety of businesses to select from including more than 20 restaurants, coffee and dessert shops, tire shops and auto body shops, florists, fitness centers, salons, clothing stores a photo studio and a newspaper.

“Both our residents and our businesses have been through difficult times due to the pandemic,” said Councilmember Kevin Blake in the news release. “This program ultimately benefits the city, by strengthening our business community and assisting Merced households.”

According to the release, $250,000 of the funding for the program was provided by the Central Valley Opportunity Fund, with Merced matching it at $250,000. The city said the cost to administer the program is $37,000 and only households located within the Merced city limits will receive gift cards.

Merced businesses that offer goods and services can still sign up at the Merced Cares website to take advantage of the program.

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 12:03 PM.