“We’re actually in the hole for this year so far. We have zero dollars to give back to the community,” said Spring Lake Park Lions gambling manager Amanda Jackson.
Jackson says that the openings and closings have been difficult, and expensive…for the both Lions and their partner restaurants.
“We have five [restaurants] open. Three of our sites have not reopened,” said Jackson.
Even now, while reopened, their pull tab sales are still down about 30 percent, but given the limited hours restaurants can be open, Jackson thinks that’s not too bad.
“We do have some very good customers. They still come back to support us. They’re coming in before 10 p.m. to play our games.”
The Lions support a long list of local charities and school programs, and they are used to writing monthly checks to these groups as their needs come up. But right now, there’s no money to give.
One event they support financially year after year is Spring Lake Park’s summer festival, Tower Days.
Tower Days was one of many city festivals cancelled in 2020, and while the city is currently hoping to be able to celebrate in June – there would need to be money to support the event and large gatherings would have to be allowed in the state.
Jackson says she hopes that happens soon, because the Lions are eager to be able to get back to work.
“For the SLP Lions, the hardest part has been not being out in the community – our faces and our hands out there working in the community,” said Jackson.
