Resources for Restaurant Industry Workers

Assistance:

• NYC Employee Retention Grant Program: The city is offering small businesses with fewer than five employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.
• Our official partner, the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), has factsheets, guidance and safety tips.
• The James Beard Foundation has resources, a daily webinar with industry support and stories.
• The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation has put together a comprehensive list of resources for restaurants and food industry workers coping with the COVID-19 emergency.
• Empowered Hospitality provides resources for terminated employees.
• UBS shared a document on Coronavirus Relief Resources for US Business Owners.
• Restaurant Hospitality shared where restaurant workers can get financial help during the coronavirus crisis.
• The National Restaurant Association offers information, resources and an email subscription for more.
• The New York State Restaurant Association has compiled information and resources.
• The California Restaurant Association covers restrictions, relief, announcements, tips and webinars.
• The City of New York is now providing childcare for all essential personnel who are critical to the COVID-19 response efforts. This includes restaurant staff and delivery/takeout workers. Those who are serving in these vital roles and have no other means of childcare can enroll in New York City Department of Education's Regional Enrichment Centers (RECs). RECs are open and operate from 7:30am to 6:00pm on Monday-Friday, and will ensure that students in grades K-12 have access to remote learning as well as various art, music and other activities. Visit the NYC Department of Education website to enroll your child(ren) in one of these centers.

News:

• Eater is maintaining lists of restaurant relief funds and restaurants offering delivery in major cities while providing thorough updates on the restaurant industry.
• Food & Wine published a pro guide on the situation, covering communication, safety, staff and support.
• Grub Street shares stories under Shutdown Diaries.
• Cherry Bombe is compiling resources for impacted businesses by state.

Voice Your Support:

• To advocate for assistance for the restaurant community, contact your representatives in Washington, D.C.
• The National Restaurant Associations has submitted a proposal to Congress.
• The NYC Hospitality Alliance is covering COVID-19 updates and calling for a response from the government. Here's a fast way to take action.
• Here are five other restaurant relief funds, petitions and campaigns.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits:  

Here are the state unemployment sites for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and California. Read about unemployment because of the coronavirus shutdown in New York here and California here. 

Resources for Your Mental and Physical Health:

• Chefs with Issues provides mental health resources and support.
• The New York State Department of Health has updates, tips and travel alerts for minimizing risk.
• The California Department of Public Health has daily updates on the outbreak and response.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the latest global updates, guidance and travel information.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has advice, reports and updates on the outbreak.

As restaurants convert to delivery and close dine-in operations, slashing staff hours, many are providing resources from groceries to family meals for culinary professionals out of work. Here's a running list for our students, externs, alumni and their colleagues during this difficult time:

• Workforce1 is providing remote assistance for job seekers.
• Chef Edward Lee's Lee Initiative is hosting the Restaurant Workers Relief Program in six cities, including Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Louisville, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C. In Brooklyn, Gertie restaurant has been converted to a relief site sponsored by Maker's Mark. Any restaurant worker who has lost hours or been laid off can come for dinner and supplies, Tuesdays-Fridays. Pick up one meal person at 357 Grand St., from 4-7 p.m., first come, first served. Virit LEEInitiative.org donate.
• In NYC, IGC Hospitality launched family meal, providing free meals to people in the industry with a new menu each day at 10:30 a.m.
• Serviceindustry.tips is calling on people worldwide to tip a local service worker every time they have a drink at home while social distancing. To sign yourself or your city up to receive random tips via Cash App or Venmo, visit serviceindustry.tips.
• In San Francisco, Chef Dominique Crenn is providing family meal for all Crenn Dining Group staff members.

Volunteer Opportunities

• City Harvest
• Citymeals on Wheels
• God's Love We Deliver
• Rethink Food NYC
• World Central Kitchen

Tag @iceculinary on social media to share additional resources, and check out these food books and industry podcasts while you're social distancing.