Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been compiling a list of relief funds, organizations and other resources who are helping restaurant workers in need of assistance. If you have more information to share with the hospitality community, please email us ([email protected]) as we are continuing to add and update these resources as the impact of the pandemic evolves.

 

INFORMATIVE PUBLICATIONS, NEWS OUTLETS & WEBSITES

 

NATIONAL ASSISTANCE

Another Round Another Rally (ARAR)ARAR is a nonprofit focused on supporting culinary workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing relief through various relief initiatives.

Big Table
Big Table uses a referral model instead of a “hotline” model. Its network, which includes managers, owners, and employees across the industry, submits a personal referral when they see someone in crisis.

Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE)
CORE is providing assistance to food and beverage service employees, with children, who have been medically diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as  resources for those experiencing financial hardship due to restaurant closings or loss of business.

The COVID Community (CoCo) Fund
March On Foundation in partnership with Ardyn established this fund to provide immediate financial support to restaurant, event and hospitality industry workers.

CrisisTextLine.org
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

Family Independence Initiative (FII)
Through its #GiveTogetherNow campaign, FII has provided support to families nationwide, including restaurant workers who lost jobs and wages due to COVID-19.

FindCoures.com
FindCourses.com is offeing a compilation of free COVID-19 training courses and webinars from expert sources like the WHO.

The Golden Rule Charity
Originally established to support victims of natural disasters in the hospitality industry, The Golden Rule Charity is providing relief grants to industry professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)
NRAEF's Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) is helping more than 43,000 restaurant workers who suffered financially due to the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. In partnership with Guy Fieri as well as more than 50 companies and organizations and 15,000 individual donors, they have raised more than $21.5 million for RERF, showing the nation just how important restaurant workers are to our industry and the communities where we work and live.

NeedHelpPayingBills.com
NeedHelpPayingBills.com provides information on financial assistance programs, charities, non-profits and other resources that can help people make it through a difficult period. Find ways to get help with rent, utility bills, free food, foreclosure and credit counseling, health care, and much more.


The LEE Initiative
The founding mission of The LEE Initiative is to come up with fast and forward thinking solutions to address problems in the restaurant industry. During COVID-19 The LEE Initiative has been mobilizing across the country to support restaurant workers.

One Fair Wage Offers Cash Assistance
One Fair Wage launched an emergency fund to support tipped workers and service workers affected by the coronavirus and the economic downturn. The organization is raising funds to provide free emergency cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and other tipped and service workers impacted by the crisis.

Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) United
ROC United launched the Pandemic Response Fund in March, raising over $1million and serving as a lifeline to more than 5,000 restaurant workers and their families who have been affected by the pandemic. Through the fund, ROC United has been able to provide emergency cash assistance to help workers purchase groceries, fill prescriptions, pay bills and meet other essential needs.

Restaraurant Worker's Community Foundation (FWCF) COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. The RWCF fund will direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community. 

The USBG National Charity Foundation
A nonprofit dedicated to advancing the stability and wellbeing of service industry professionals through education and charity has launched a Bartender Emergency Assistance Program available to any bartender or the spouse or child of a bartender. Although its COVID-19 Relief Grant Program may have closed, the foundation is still providing grants to industry members in need through its other grant programs.

UndocuBlack Network (UBN)
UBN is a multigenerational network of currently and formerly undocumented Black people that fosters community, facilitates access to resources, and is raising funds to help undocumented black workers meet their daily needs during the pandemic.

Undocumented Worker Fund
Through the Undocumented Worker Fund, Moviemiento Cosecha, is redistributing donations directly to undocumented families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

 

ASSISTANCE BY STATE

 

ALABAMA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance 


Arizona
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance 

Rent Assistance

Medical Assistance

ARKANSAS
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Rent Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


CALIFORNIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Disability Insurance
If exposed to COVID-19 and a medical professional certifies your inability to work because of the virus, file a Disability Insurance claim. Disability Insurance is a short-term benefit payment for those eligible, and range from $50 to $1,300 per week.

Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim
If unable to work because of caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19, file for a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers experiencing a loss of wages to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child. Benefit amounts range from $50 to $1,300 per week.

Immigrants Rising
Immigrants Rising empowers undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation.

National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON)
NDLON's mission is to improve the lives of day laborers, migrants and low-wage workers. This network builds leadership and power among those facing injustice so they can challenge inequality and expand labor, civil and political rights for all.

No Us Without You
LA-based No Us Without You is a non-profit public charity providing food security for undocumented Back of House Staff and their families who are otherwise not eligible for unemployment benefits while unemployed during COVID-19.


Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


COLORADO
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Rent Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


CONNECTICUT
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


DELAWARE
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance 

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

The D.C. Virtual Tip Jar
A running list of service workers in the city and their Venmo accounts where generous people can donate extra cash.

Hook Hall Helps
D.C. beer hall Hook Hall partnered with Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington to fund Hook Hall Helps, which creates care packages for restaurant workers that include food and other household essentials.

Saint City Culinary
Saint City Culinary's mission is to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of those working in the food and beverage industry through compassionate support and intentionally meeting needs.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


FLORIDA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Medical Assistance


GEORGIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

The Giving Kitchen
The Giving Kitchen Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources and now offers support specifically to restaurant workers diagnosed with COVID-19.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


IDAHO
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


ILLINOIS
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

City of Chicago - Emergency Rental Assistance Program
This program helps people who have lost their job, had a home fire, or an illness. They provide a one-time grant up to $900 to help cover one month's rental payment. 

Chicago Hospitality United
A line of t-shirts to raise funds for Chicago’s food and beverage community. All of the net proceeds from Chicago Hospitality United’s shirts will go directly towards financial relief for hourly employees affected by the necessary precautions Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot have implemented.

Support Staff
Support Staff is a community of hospitality professionals working alongside mental health professionals, and community organizers to change the structures of the hospitality industry.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


INDIANA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


IOWA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


KANSAS
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


KENTUCKY
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Restaurant Workers Relief Program
Chef Edward Lee is partnering with Makers Mark to turn 610 Magnolia into a relief center for any restaurant worker who has been laid off. We are offering help for those in dire need of food and supplies. Each night, we will pack hundreds of to-go dinners that people can come to pick up and take home.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


LOUISIANA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Culture Aid NOLA
Culture Aid NOLA is a collaborative relief effort of several New Orleans area nonprofits serving culture and hospitality workers.

Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund
United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF) responded to COVID-19 by launching the Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund, which provided needed critical funding to cash-strapped households, commonly referred to as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) out-of-work hospitality professionals.

Made in New Orleans Foundation (MiNO)
MiNO uses a multidisciplinary approach to address, ameliorate, and eliminate disparities facing hospitality professionals of color. At the individual level, the foundation provides educational resources, individual mentorship and scholarships, and business coaching. At the industry level, it amplifies the voices of professionals of color and provides support to hospitality companies that are seeking to eliminate bias and disparities in their organizations.

We Help NOLA
We Help NOLA is a locally owned and operated organization, providing large scale mental health care access to restaurant industry workers throughout New Orleans.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MAINE
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MARYLAND
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MASSACHUSSETTS
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Restaurant Strong Fund
The Greg Hill Foundation and Samuel Adams are supporting those in the Massachusetts restaurant industry whose jobs have been impacted by the Coronavirus.

Behind You 
A fund supporting restaurant workers helping workers whose jobs have been impacted by the Coronavirus.

Emergency Funds for Boston-Area Service Workers
Organized by Gabby Bonfiglio and Emily Beaulieu, who wanted to do something locally and immediately to support our community. Donations accepted here. Apply for funding support here.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MICHIGAN
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance


MINNESOTA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Utility Assistance 

Medical Assistance


MISSISSIPPI
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MISSOURI
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


MONTANA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEBRASKA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEVADA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEW HAMPSHIRE
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEW JERSEY
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEW MEXICO
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NEW YORK
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Access HRA Account
The Human Resources Administration (HRA) has launched, ACCESS HRA, a new website that lets you learn more about benefits in New York City and apply for different Assistance programs. 

Hot Bread Kitchen COVID-19 Food Worker Hotline (929) 292-9226
This hotline is intended to help hospitality workers understand how to file for benefits, find nearby food resources or access other resources (childcare/at-home learning, emotional support, etc). For assistance, call (929) 292-9226 (8:00 AM—6:00 PM EST, Monday-Friday).

NY FarmNet (800) 547-3276
NY FarmNet is committed to providing individualized services to farmers, farm families, and agribusiness professionals during these uncertain times. Face-to-face meetings are now done virtually or over the phone.

Service Workers Coalition (SWC)
Service Workers Coalition is a grassroots Mutual Aid Fund and incorporated Non-Profit Organization which mobilized in response to the evolving needs of laid off hospitality workers throughout the COVID-19 crisis. SWC provides a cash relief network for and by service workers in New York City.

Rethink
A New York City-based non-profit working to recover nutritious excess food, has shifted gears to focus on the coronavirus crisis with its Rethink Restaurant Response Program, offering operators and restaurant workers options for help. 

ROAR NY
Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants (ROAR) has partnered with Robin Hood and National Restaurant Association Educational Fund to provide a New York City Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, offering a one-time grant of $500 to eligible individuals facing unprecedented hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robin Hood
The Robin Hood Relief Fund is helping New Yorkers by supporting the nonprofit organizations on the frontlines, providind donation-based emergency support through food, housing, job security and more.

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


NORTH CAROLINA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Medical Assistance


NORTH DAKOTA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Rent Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


OHIO
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

 Utility Assistance


OKLAHOMA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


OREGON
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Rent Assistance

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance


PENNSYLVANNIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Utility Assistance

Medical Assistance

RHODE ISLAND
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Utility Assistance 

Medical Assistance 

 

SOUTH CAROLINA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Ben's Friends
Ben’s Friends is a food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.

Medical Assistance

SOUTH DAKOTA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance


TENNESSEE
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Utility Assistance


TEXAS
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund
Fundraising for restaurant relief donations and distributing them to restaurant workers in need.

Staff Meal
Staff Meal is a project from Fest Events Foundation. The goal of this initiative is to provide aid and support to the restaurant industry and all of its community during this COVID-19.

UTAH
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

VERMONT
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance


VIRGINIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

C’ville Restaurant Fund
A grassroots fund on GoFundMe is raising donations to help restaurant employees pay critical bills, buy groceries, secure medications, and get around town. The goal for the effort is $10,000.

Food Assistance


WASHINGTON
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.


Food Assistance

 
WEST VIRGINIA
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance 

WISCONSIN
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance


WYOMING
State Government Assistance
Learn about government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, food assistance programs, utility bills, and other expenses.

Food Assistance

Rent Assistance

Utility Assistance