How Restaurant Workers Impacted by Coronavirus Can Get Help
Restaurants and bars around the world are being forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, which is leaving service industry workers with no way to make a living. This means that individuals who have lost their jobs need funds to pay for rent, groceries, electricity, water, and other necessities. While the path forward may be unclear, there are a few different ways for restaurant workers impacted by coronavirus to find support during this challenging time.
Four resources for restaurant workers affected by COVID-19
1. Apply for universal credit
You can apply for universal credit online here.
2. Contact a relief fund for restaurant workers
In an effort to provide quick financial help for restaurant and bar workers, organisations, charities, and individuals have started a number of relief funds across the country. Relief funds can operate in different ways, but generally, they serve as a centralised location for community members to donate to a specific cause.
3. Start a fundraiser to share with your loved ones
One of the quickest and easiest ways to receive financial help in Covid-19 is to start a personal fundraiser of your own. Through crowdfunding to help, you can inform your loved ones of your current situation and explain why you need financial assistance now more than ever. Once donations start coming in, you can withdraw funds to your bank account and they’ll arrive in 2-5 business days. Then, you can use donations to buy food or help pay your rent, among other expenses.
Additionally, restaurants and bars everywhere have been starting fundraisers to support their staff. If you prefer not to start a fundraiser for yourself, you could consider starting a fundraiser for both you and your co-workers. Here are a few examples of fundraisers for restaurant workers started during the coronavirus pandemic:
- Lettuce Employee Emergency Relief Fund
- Pizza Workers Union at Scottie’s
- Mauna Loa Bartenders need your help!
Read our fundraising tips for small businesses before you get started.
4. Add your information to a virtual tip jar for your city
Virtual tip jars are popping up to help supplement reduced income for restaurant workers and bartenders affected by COVID-19. Virtual tip jars come in many different forms—sites like ServiceIndustry.tips allow a donor to select the city they would like to donate to. From there, the payment information for a randomly selected restaurant worker is automatically generated on the screen. Most donations are made directly to the restaurant worker through Venmo, the Cash app, or PayPal accounts.
Other sites, such as Virtual Tip Jars, have simply asked restaurant workers to add their information to a Google Sheets spreadsheet that anyone can visit and choose a person to send money to. Most virtual tip jars have been established based on geographic location. To see what already exists in your area, search for virtual tip jars specific to your town, then add your information to virtual tip jars that meet your needs. Many people are looking for ways to support restaurant workers during coronavirus, so don’t hesitate to get your information to people looking to donate.
Related reading:
- Where to Find Financial Help During the Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses: Seven Ways to Get Help
- Fundraising for Coronavirus Relief: How You Can Help the Fight
Let your community help you get back on your feet
With the entire world facing uncertainty around what life may look like after the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to make sure you have the support you need to move forward. With fundraising options like GoFundMe, you can sign up and start receiving donations to help you with your bills in a matter of minutes. If you’re a restaurant worker or a bartender who has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus, know that there are options available to you. Start a fundraiser to get the help you need right away.