A List of Resources for Service Industry Workers, Restaurants, and Bars

Below is a list of relief funds and resources to which unemployed workers can apply and the general public can donate.

article originally featured in The Somm Journal Mar 24th 2020

The service industry has been severely affected by restrictions and closures due to COVID-19. Below is a list of relief funds and resources for service industry workers, restaurants, and bars, to which unemployed workers can apply and the general public can donate. If you are interested in donating, we also encourage you to visit the websites of bars and restaurants in your area—many establishments are setting up funds for their staff via gofundme, Venmo, and other payment services.

INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT COALITION
The Independent Restaurant Coalition was formed to save local restaurants affected by COVID-19. The coalition was founded on the simple belief that there is power to affect legislative change if we unite our voice. This national movement is quickly growing and EVERYONE is welcome to join. For more information, go Here

THE RESTAURANT WORKERS RELIEF PROGRAM
Chef Edward Lee in partnership with The LEE Initiative and Maker’s Mark, launched this program in Louisville, Kentucky that has since quickly expanded to other cities (and will likely continue to grow). In each city a local restaurant is set up as a relief center where restaurant workers can bring proof of recent employment (pay stubs will suffice) to receive necessities such as meals, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more. Times, days, and exact details vary between relief centers. For more information follow The LEE Initiative on Instagram @leeinitiative and for details on each relief center, including addresses and times of operation, visit each restaurant’s social media page. Here are the names of restaurants serving as relief centers: 610 Magnolia in Louisville; Succotash in Washington, D.C.; Mita’s in Cincinnati; Chi Spacca in Los Angeles; Big Star in Chicago; Salare in Seattle; Safta in Denver; Olmsted and Gertie’s in Brooklyn; Great Bagel Bakery in Lexington; Cochon in New Orleans; and Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta.
To Donate Go Here

USBG NATIONAL CHARITY FOUNDATION BARTENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The United States Bartenders’ Guild National Charity Foundation fund exists to assist the bar industry community hurt by closures due to the conronavirus. Anyone can donate and any amount helps. The grant is open to applicants in all 50 states (and you do not need to be a USBG member to apply). For more information go Here

EMERGENCY FUND FOR U.S. RESTAURANT SOMMELIERS
Like many restaurant workers, professional sommeliers now find themselves without income and in a vulnerable, uncertain position. This fund is specifically dedicated for restaurant sommeliers who have lost wages due to COVID-19 in the United States. To donate or apply go Here

ANOTHER ROUND ANOTHER RALLY
Another Round Another Rally is offering grants to chefs, sommeliers, bartenders, servers, dishwashers, and all other hospitality workers who have lost their jobs or had their hours slashed in the wake of COVID-19. The organization is also collecting donations. Visit their website Here

ONE FAIR WAGE
One Fair Wage is providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and other tipped workers—who are seeing their income decline because of the coronavirus. To apply or donate go Here

RESTAURANT WORKERS’ COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
RWCF recently announced that it established the Restaurant Workers COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund which will provide relief for individual workers affected by the coronavirus as well as create zero-interest loans to businesses. For more information go Here

DINING BONDS INITIATIVE
The idea behind Dining Bonds Initiative is to get funds to restaurants ASAP by selling “bonds” that can be purchased at a value rate and then redeemed for face value at a future date. It’s a gift certificate that can be purchased at a 25% discount (for example, a $100 bond for $75) and then used at the restaurant in the coming months. The program is open to all restaurants. For more information visit Here

THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION FOOD INDUSTRY + COVID-19 WEBINAR
The James Beard Foundation streamed a webinar on March 17 for people in the food industry. To listen to the webinar go Here

The James Beard Foundation has also started the Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund. To donate or find out more information go Here

For additional ways to donate or for those in need please read the excellent, extensive listing from Vinepair.com Here