This is part 3 of a 3-part series. Part 1 is an overview of the restaurant industry and the current COVID-19 crisis. Part 2 offers ways that anyone can help from home. Part 3 provides resources for those in the industry.

The topic of this article is poignant to us here at Ocean Hugger, as we have seen firsthand the damage that this pandemic is inflicting on our restaurant partners. We are committed to supporting our restaurant partners by spreading awareness of and resources on this topic. We are all in this together.

This is a living article, and we will continue to update it as we gain new information & resources.

PART 3: RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY

Resource Databases:

National Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information and Resources: A large collection of resources including FAQs, resources by state, infographics, cleaning protocols for restaurants, guidance for restaurants on responding to COVID-19.

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-10 Emergency: Relief funds, unemployment information, financial assistance, immigrant-specific concerns and resources, and more.

Food+Tech Connect Resources: Resources, organizations, initiatives, virtual gatherings, and more.

Involved Organizations:

One Fair Wage: This organization is raising funds for their “Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund,” that will provide cash assistance to to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers, and others.

Rethink: Rethink set this program up to assist with food need and access during the Corona crisis. The program is focused on:

From Food & Wine: “[Rethink] is hiring back of house employees—culinary team members, facilities team members and food distribution associates—to join its Brooklyn Navy Yard-based culinary center and begin cooking and preparing meals for New Yorkers that will be distributed to its partners like God’s Love and City Harvest, and also at the Rethink Cafe in Fort Greene and at its partner restaurants across the city.” 

Rethink has also launched the Rethink Restaurant Response Program, whereby it will select companies for a $40,000 grant to help them stay up and running, and the restaurant will temporarily change its model to be a distribution center for Rethink meals, which are available for free (with a suggested donation of $3).

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation: Has launched the RWCF COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, with donated funds going towards, in the organization’s words: 50% for direct relief to individual restaurant workers, 25% for non-profit organizations serving restaurant workers in crisis, 25% for zero-interest loans for restaurants to get back up and running

Additional Resources:

National Restaurant Association’s Webinar: Coronavirus Resources: Labor and Employment Law Challenges and Obligations Facing Employers

Food+Tech Connect Job Board: “Use code "coronavirusfoodjobs" to post remote or remote-friendly food jobs on our job board.”

Eater’s A List of Relief Funds for Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers

Note for job seekers: Grocers Scramble to hire thousands amid outbreak