Food Service Industry Emergency Fund

Our local food scene is threatened by the COVID-19 crisis. The rapid loss of business is going to be especially tough on service and support staff, many of whom are reliant on gratuities as income, with many more paid hourly behind the scenes. These folks, who often live paycheck to paycheck, have no way to earn income. They need our help, and they need it right now.


TABLE Magazine along with our community committee is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise emergency funds for employees in the service industry in conjunction with Community Kitchen, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization focused on workforce development in the food service industry. Follow the link below to a “GO FUND ME” page where you can lend a helping hand that will be gifted to verified applicants in the restaurant field. Applicants will enroll on a rolling basis with a form on tablemagazine.com/restaurantfund. We will verify applicants in the order in which they enroll. Once verified, applicants will receive $150 until the fund is depleted.


Think of all the gorgeous, delicious, memorable nights out you’ve had over the last few years. The hostess who seated you and made sure you were happy. The bartender who mixed you that cocktail you needed. The server whose sense of humor made the meal that much more fun. They all need you now — not to mention the hardworking back-of-house staff, whose names and faces we seldom know. They, too, have been idled by COVID-19. It’s our turn to do our best for them. Please give as much as you can to help them.


TABLE will donate ALL subscription revenue to the fund through August 31.


Rules and Requirements:


To be considered for disbursement, applicants need to meet the following qualifications (information submitted through the application will not be shared publicly):

-Have worked in a food service establishment in Allegheny County in the last 30 days and either have a reduction in hours or suspension in employment due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

-Provide basic contact information (name, phone, email) and other information required for disbursement.

-Provide contact information of employer for confirmation of employment status, or if change in status provided in writing, a copy of such notice. 

Applications will be based solely on verification of the qualifications and processed on a rolling basis in the order they are received. Disbursements will be $150 per applicant and made to each individual requestor within a reasonable time after verification of the information submitted. Disbursements are limited to one per applicant. Applicants will be notified if they do or do not qualify after verification process. The community committee reserves the right to deny disbursements to those who do not meet the requirements or provide complete information. Disbursements will be made by applicants election via paypal, venmo or visa gift card.


These emergency funds will be disbursed until the fund has completely dissolved (100% disbursement) or all requesters have been processed. Any additional funds left unclaimed will be donated to Community Kitchen Project, a registered 501(c)(3) organization.

We will put out a general notice at least ten (10) days ahead of time if we set an end date for applications.


A certified public accountant will review the fund. Also individuals are responsible for any taxes should any funds be deemed taxable. 

NOTE: THESE EMERGENCY GIFT CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Committee: Justin Matase, TABLE Magazine; Hilary Brown; Kate Romane, Black Radish Kitchen; Eileen French, Revive Marketing; Jennifer Flanagan, Community Kitchen; Marlene Van Nelson, Trellis Legal LLC.

 

Please contact [email redacted] for more information or if you have questions.