Fund for South Philly Barbacoa undocumented staff

March 16th was our last day as a full service restaurant. 

That day the Mayor of Philadelphia mandated that restaurants be closed to the public for the welfare of public health during this COVID-19 pandemic. We had to tell all of our staff that they would be losing their jobs until at least March 27th. Today, as of April 3rd, the shut down is looming another month into the future, and the precarious situation hits our workers and their families the hardest. 

Since 2015, our restaurant has been calling on our industry's loudest voices to acknowledge the presence and contributions undocumented immigrants have made in our city's heralded food economy. (https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20151013_South_Philly_chef_s_special__immigration_reform.html) We have organized events to bring justice and light to this uncomfortable reality, and have attempted in different facets to organize a change which would acknowledge and de-criminalize the work of undocumented people. 

South Philly Barbacoa's chef and owner is an undocumented immigrant herself, and yes, some of our staff is also undocumented. We have created this GoFundMe to help support some of those families who have fed and served you who have dined at our establishment, in their time of need. 

All the stimulus packages, government aid, and unemployment will not reach any of these folks who work so hard with us to make great food and a friendly space for families to come together and eat. They won't be able to apply for any grants, or loans, and will still be expected to come up with their rent, gas and water bills. They still have to feed their families and pay for their expenses while home on quarantine. Unfortunately, we don't have a safety fund or any sort of wealth to help them through this, all of our money is invested in the businesses.

So on behalf of South Philly Barbacoa, we are asking you to chip in to help out the vulnerable members of our staff to get them through this period of no income and uncertainty. 100% of the money will be distributed to our staff (those who are not eligible for unemployment compensation) for the care of their families and expenses. 

We will continue to support campaigns for amnesty, de-crimininalization of work, advocating for chefs and restauranteurs to stand up and support the acknowledgement and legal inclusion of undocumented folks in our economy, as well as supporting local campaigns for licenses, shutting down immigrant family jails and abolishing ICE, in whatever capacity we are able to. At this time we are asking for your help to show some brotherly love and sisterly affection to our crew. 

From,
South Philly Barbacoa