We are all in this together as citizens of our global and local community. It is clear that we need to do our part to help “flatten the curve” and contain the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus. It is with heavy hearts that many owners all over the nation will make the decision to close their dining rooms until further notice.
The restaurant industry was booming with thriving concepts popping up in multiple locations, the rise of celebrity chefs and the loyal fandom that followed every bite. Employing over 16 million workers nationwide, service workers represent over 10% of the American workforce. This means that millions of people will be without employment, paychecks, and benefits until further notice.
Here are resources that will help with financial assistance, keeping food on your table, and (hopefully) some assurance that everything will be alright.
National
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation: Crisis Relief Fund
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund
Small Business Administration financial help and resources
Covid-19 Federal Aid Package for Events Industry Petition
RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND
Immigrant Rising: Committed to serving undocumented communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund
LeeInitiative: Restaurant Workers Relief Program
California
Off the Menu Los Angeles Restaurant Relief Fund
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK
California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance
East Oakland DREAMers: Supports migrant workers in the Bay Area
Telegraph Baptist Center (5316 Telegraph Ave, Oakland): Offering free food every Wednesday evening 5:30-7:30p; bring your own bags
RELIEF FUNDS FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA: ALIVIO FINANCIERO PARA TRABAJADORES INDOCUMENTADOS DE CALIFORNIA
Bay Area COVID-19 Mass Resource List: Available in Spanish, also.
- Oakland: During the COVID-19 closure, the OUSD Nutrition Services Department will open twelve schools throughout the city where “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch meals will be available for all OUSD students or families and any Oakland child under 18. To ensure the least amount of contact, students do not need to be present to pick up food. The sites listed below will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Multiple days worth of food can be picked up to take home.
Sankofa Elementary, West Oakland Middle School and Hoover Elementary, Oakland High School and Garfield Elementary
Bret Harte Middle School, Life Academy/United for Success, Coliseum College Preparatory Academy, Madison Park Upper, Fremont High School, Castlemont High School and Elmhurst United Middle School)
Chicago
Stock MFG X Leisure Activities Proceeds of T-shirt sales go towards the hourly workers in the hospitality industry.
Restaurant Opportunities Centers United
Denver
Angel Relief Fund by the Colorado Restaurant Association
Care and Share: Food Bank for Southern Colorado
Colorado Restaurant Association – Job Board in light of COVID-19
Denver Restaurant Relief Package
Georgia
Go Tip ‘Em Virtual Tip Jar for Restaurant Workers
CORE Children of Restaurant Employees
Resources For Owners/Operators
New Orleans
New Orleans Business Alliance Relief Fund
Greater New Orleans Foundation Service and Hospitality Family Assistance Program
South Louisiana Food Banks (Second Harvest)
LOUISIANA EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAMS
Louisiana Restaurant Association Resources
Louisana Restaurant Association: RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM
New York
Service Workers Coalition: Email serviceworkerscoalition@gmail.com for assistance
Rethink + Restaurant Response Program
Restaurant Worker Solidarity NYC
Buffalo COVID-19 Solidarity Relief Fund
New York State Restaurant Association
Portland
Portland Coronavirus Mutual Aid Fund
Team Portland Proceeds of tote bag purchases go toward Family Meal PDX
Portland Independent Restaurant Alliance
Alexis Foods
Through the month of March, Alexis Foods will be opening their doors to service industry workers from 9AM-12PM (Monday-Friday), to purchase food at wholesale pricing while supplies last. Warehouse number (503) 445-4580.
Laughing Planet
From now until further notice Laughing Planet will be providing a free kids meal to kids who qualify for Meal Assistance Programs.
Seattle
Seattle Hospitality Emergency Fund
Northwest Harvest SODO Community Market
Seattle Restaurant Workers Coronavirus Rent Fund
Washington State unemployment, rent, mortgage, credit, bill assistance
United Way of King County Unemployment Help
Small Business Stabilization Fund
COVID-19 – Relief Fund for Undocumented People
Texas
The Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Furlough Kitchen: not-for-profit serving daily free meals to out-of-work hospitality workers who were furloughed as a result of the 2020 Covid-19 crisis.
Culinaria Emergency Relief Fund
Washington DC
Chef David Guas + Real Food for Kids
Please send us any sources that we missed at Hello@poachedjobs.com, as we will be updating you all as frequently as we find them.
