Workers in the restaurant industry make up around 8% of the United State’s workforce.
They are also one of the highest concentrations of workers earning at or below minimum wage with earnings far below the national average.
Because of COVID-19 quarantines, the restaurant industry is also one of the most affected with the National Restaurant Association estimating the industry sales will decline by $225 billion during the next three months.
Although this is deeply concerning, there is hope and there is help!
Below is a list of organizations helping out restaurants during COVID-19, click to jump to the section that fits you best:
- Resources for restaurant owners
- Resources for restaurant workers
- How to help restaurants
- Updated Government Information & Additional Links
Help for Restaurants
National Governors Association
State and local governments are adding COVID-19 relief programs every day.
For up-to-date information about your area, the National Governors Association offers a directory of local governments websites and information.
Support Restaurant’s Dining Bond
This dining bond works like a savings bond that can help restaurants who are in serious risk of shutting down.
The bond is set up by a group of restaurant industry professionals to help get funds into the hands of restaurant owners now, even if they are temporarily closed.
These bonds are purchased to give restaurants the much needed revenue now and can be redeemed later at face value.
Small Business Administration’s Loan Program
The Small Business Administration helps by providing capital loans to help offset the temporary loss of revenue during disasters.
President Trump announced that the SBA will be extending low-cost capital to small business owners due to COVID-19 through the CARES act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). This is the largest economic relief package is U.S. history and helps owners with loans and loan forgiveness and workers with unemployment and direct payments
Help Restaurant Workers Affected by Loss of Hours or Job
Another Round, Another Rally Fund
Another Round, Another Rally is a non-profit that provides scholarship and tuition reimbursement to the underrepresented people in the community.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, they are offering $500 grants to any workers that lost their job or had their hours cut due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is a social challenge to send where people submit videos of them making their favorite cocktail and post it to social media with the hashtag #liftyourspirits.
Then send a donation or a “tip” and challenge your friends to do the same.
All proceeds go to the National Restaurant Association Education Foundations (NRAEF) that takes all of tips and donates them to restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality workers impacted by COVID-19.
To apply for this grant, click here for more information.
One Fair Wage (OFW) Emergency Fund
OFW helps service workers who are struggling with the coronavirus crisis. They support by providing free cash gifts and assistance.
They aim to help support the workers with hours that have been cut or those who are unable to work due to the quarantine.
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF) Crisis Relief Fund
RWCF’s full focus has shifted to helping workers and small business owners during the COVID-19 outbreak.
They provide zero-interest loans to businesses to maintain payroll and help them reopen once everything has passed.
They help workers with a relief fund for families facing economic hardships or health crises as a result of COVID-19.
Click here for a list of comprehensive additional programs from new sick leave laws to financial assistance.
RentAssistance helps you search by zip code to find programs in your area for rental assistance during emergencies such as loss of job due to COVID-19.
They pair you up with a variety of government, non-profits, and charities to help workers stay in their homes.
United Way has a COVID-19 relief fund and encourages those who are unable to pay critical bills or get access to essential services to reach out.
USBG, a national charity foundation that works primarily with bartenders, has an emergency assistance program to help bartenders or the spouses of bartenders that have experienced a catastrophic event or emergency, COVID-19 included.
Click here for the application.
Want to support your local restaurants? Here’s how to help
Change.org’s Save America’s Restaurants Petition
Help sign the petition to put your support behind the chefs, bartenders, and restaurant owners who need help now, by imploring the government to come up with a plan to better help the restaurants during COVID-19.
This is a social challenge to send a video of yourself making your favorite cocktail and post it to social media with the hashtag #liftyourspirits.
Then send a donation or a “tip” and challenge your friends to do the same.
All proceeds go to the National Restaurant Association Education Foundations (NRAEF) that takes all of “tips” and donates them to restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality workers impacted by COVID-19.
Rally for restaurants is help for your favorite local restaurants now when they need it most. You can search for your favorite restaurant by city, and if available, can order takeout or buy a gift card from them. You can also tag #rallyforrestaurants to help spread the word.
Restaurant Worker’s Community Foundation (RCWF) COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
This gives you the opportunity to donate directly to the restaurant community.
All donations will be split up as follows: 50% will go to restaurant workers, 25% to non-profits serving restaurant workers, and 25% will go into zero-interest loans for restaurants to get back up and running.
United Way COVID-19 Relief Fund
United Way helps those who are most vulnerable by providing access to food, shelter, support, and information.
This fund helps communities around the U.S. who are most impacted by COVID-19.
COVID-19: Official Government Information & Additional Links
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America
For background and the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 website.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
What you should know:
- Workplace, School, and Home Guidance
- People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
- How COVID-19 Spreads
- Symptoms
- Steps to Prevent Illness
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What to Do If You Are Sick with COVID-19
- Stigma Related to COVID-19
- Facts about COVID-19
- Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations
- Communication Resources
Situation Updates:
- Situation Summary
- Cases in the U.S.
- Global Locations with COVID-19
- Risk Assessment
- CDC in Action: Preparing Communities
Information for Businesses: