Frequently Asked Questions
Can people just buy a Digital Gift Card to their favorite restaurant to help with cash flow now?
Yes, when they choose your restaurant, don’t choose an Essential Service and you will receive a digital gift card to use when that restaurant opens up.
After someone buys a Digital Gift Card from my restaurant, how do they redeem it?
They can show their digital gift card at the restaurant and the restaurant doesn’t need any specific POS system or scanning technology. The restaurant can scan it on any phone or tablet to manage the balance.
What are the costs associated with being a part of the service?
Loop is not charging for the tool for 3 months as part of our contribution to combat COVID-19, however there are costs associated with the credit card processing which is 2.9% of each transaction amount plus $.49 per transaction. So for example, a $100 donation to your restaurant will cost $3.39.
How does the flow of money work?
Loop will collect all donations from consumers and will distribute the money to the restaurants every week. The restaurant can choose whether the transfer is mailed as a check or set up an ACH for wiring to the bank.
How will my restaurant know what the donation balance is?
Restaurants will have access to a Brand Portal where you will be able to see the donations, their amounts, who donated and what the hospital totals are.
How will hospitals know what the donations they have for my restaurant?
The hospitals will have access to a Donatee Portal where they will be able to see the same donations, their amounts and be able to allocate to a restaurant's order.
Can my restaurant put some criteria on what food my restaurant prepares, where I deliver and what preparation time is needed?
Yes, we will highlight all the criteria that a hospital needs to follow and in turn, the tool will highlight the criteria that hospitals need the restaurants to follow, like individual meals, no "buffet style" servings, delivery directions, etc.
How will my restaurant know when a hospital order comes in?
Initial launch of the program will require hospitals to go into their portal and call the restaurant and the order will be done manually. Coming soon, the hospital will have the ability to place the order in their portal and the restaurant will receive a notification of the order details, location, time, etc.
When someone buys a Digital Gift Card, how does the Essential Service Donation work?
People chose their favorite restaurant and choose your hospital that restaurants will deliver to, choose your amount and then submit. Your hospital will communicate your needs for food, timing, amount and choice of food to the restaurant directly when you need it and they will deliver it.
How Does My Essential Service Receive Donations?
Loop signs up local restaurants for digital gift cards and as people go to buy a gift card for their favorite establishment, they also have the option to donate a dollar amount to your institution.
How do I setup my Essential Service to receive donations?
You take 5 mins to set up your institution to receive donations from local business that are crowdsourced from consumers. Loop is the middleman connecting restaurants to hospitals. All you need to do is assign a Essential Service Donation manager to administer what food gets delivered and when.
Who manages the actual food ordering for the hospitals?
Each hospital has a designated Essential Service Donation manager who coordinates their food needs and contacts the restaurant directly when they need food.
If a person donates money to a restaurant to make food for a hospital, can they write it off?
Yes, they will receive a Form 8283 to fill out and submit with their taxes.
How much of the donations actually goes to a hospital?
Every penny possible goes to the hospital. People donate to their restaurant of choice and that restaurant makes food for the hospital you chose to receive the donation. Loop takes ZERO MONEY for this program but there are minimal credit card processing fees.
