Credit: Guy Fieri/DisneyWith the spread of Covid-19, so many people worldwide are having to adapt to a new normal. Society is shifting in various ways and it’s leaving some industries high and dry when it comes to paying its workers.
One industry that has been hit particularly hard with all of these changes is the food industry. With most states issuing stay-at-home orders and closures of public gathering spaces, restaurants are being forced to close their dining rooms.
This is leaving many restaurant workers without steady pay, as orders decline and hours are decreased from a lack of business– despite delivery and curbside pickup options being implemented. Â
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Food network star Guy Fieri has seen the negative impact on restaurants over the last month and has sprung to action, helping launch a Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
Fieri has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to create this fund, whose main purpose is to support food workers who’ve had their livelihoods impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic. The National Restaurant Association is a restaurant industry business association that represents more than 380,000 restaurant locations in the United States.Â
One-Time Relief Checks
Through this fund, restaurant workers can apply for a one-time $500 check that can be used for the following expenses:Â
- Home rent or mortgage
- Car payments or transportation costs
- Utility bills
- Student loan payments
- Child care
- Groceries
- Medical bills
You can apply for these grants HERE, through the official website for the fund. They will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Donations are also very appreciated and help educational foundation stretch these grants further.
Celebrity Chef — Guy Fieri’s Restaurant Chain
Fieri has his own restaurant chain called Chicken Guy, which has a location on property at Disney Springs — Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district. His chain is known for its flavorful chicken tenders and sandwiches with over twenty signature sauces!Â
ThinkFoodGroup Attempts To Support Employees As Well
José Andrés’ and the ThinkFoodGroup — owner of a neighboring Disney Springs restaurant Jaleo’s — is taking initiative to support their own employees as well.
Their company has set up an e-gift card program where all proceeds go to directly support workers, while the restaurant business is enduring harsh changes. Half will extend employee pay and benefits and the other half will go to the company’s ThinkFamilyFund, which helps provide financial relief to employees and their families.Â
In these stressful times, definitely consider supporting your favorite local restaurants. Orders go a long way and can directly impact the workers’ livelihoods while the hospitality and restaurant industry is struggling. If you’re interested in donating to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, click HERE to donate and learn how you can help.Â