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$40,000 Awarded to Mobile Area Businesses Thanks to LendingTree Bowl Grants

The Annual LendaHand Small Business Grant Program supports and highlights local small businesses in Mobile ahead of LendingTree Bowl 

Mobile, Ala. (Dec. 06, 2022) – Through a partnership between the annual LendaHand Small Business Grant Program, LendingTree, LendingTree Bowl, and the city of Mobile, AL, a total of $40,000 was awarded to four Mobile-area businesses today in advance of next week’s LendingTree Bowl. Now in its second year, the LendaHand Small Business Grant Program provides support and draws attention to deserving small businesses – the backbone of the Mobile community and local economy. 

 LendaHand Small Business Grant Program 2022 Winners: 

  • Early Learning LLC 
  • Kids Kottage Boutique  
  • Southern Cross Home Care
  • West Mobile Dental Care Corporation

“LendingTree has shown time and time again how much they care for communities”, says President Daphne Alvarez of Southern Cross Home Care. “So many small, local businesses were affected by Covid-19 and LendingTree has provided us the opportunity to continue doing what we love and this is caring for those in our beautiful city of Mobile, Alabama. The grant will be instrumental in helping us promote the health and well-being of families throughout Mobile.”  

 As the program has gained popularity, over 100 small businesses applied this year. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson says it has become invaluable to the local community. “Our staff works daily to help small, minority-owned and historically disadvantaged businesses thrive in the City of Mobile. This work aligns perfectly with the LendaHand program and its mission.
 
In 2021, two area businesses were awarded a $10,000 grant. Sherrie Dyal, LendingTree Bowl Executive Director, says to hear how the money is making an impact is what drives the program, and encourages even more support.. “Our mission is to give back to the community and this meets that in every possible way. The small businesses here in Mobile are an integral part of what creates the cultural and vibrancy of our community. 
 

Applicants were evaluated based on a series of questions ranging from why they applied to what they intended to do with the grant money. LendingTree employees reviewed the finalists and selected the four winners. All finalists will be highlighted on LendingTree’s social media channels this week. They’ll also be featured in individual videos during the game.  The purpose of the LendingTree Bowl is to showcase the city of Mobile, advance tourism and economic impact, provide educational and athletic opportunities to the youth of Mobile, while providing a cultural and exceptional bowl experience to collegiate student-athletes, administrators and fans.The 24th annual LendingTree Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 17, 2022.  

About LendingTree:  LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is one of the nation’s largest, most experienced online marketplaces, created to give power to consumers so more people can win financially. LendingTree strives to provide consumers with easy access to the best offers on home loans, personal loans, insurance, credit cards, student loans, business loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans and more, through its network of over 500 partners. Founded in 1996 and launched nationally in 1998, LendingTree has helped over 111 million consumers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health with transparency, education, and support throughout their financial journey. LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com. 

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