Once again, CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees is the charity of choice for the Vibe Conference. For more than 10 years, CORE has partnered with the Vibe Conference raising over $500,000 thanks to generous and supportive Vibe operators and sponsors.
CORE is a national 501(c)3 dedicated to serving food and beverage service employees with children when either the working parent or child is navigating through medical diagnosis, illness, injury, death, or natural disaster. Founded by food and beverage service industry veterans in 2004, CORE helps hospitality service employees with children bridge the financial gap when dealing with a crisis. Since 2013, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized non-profit that has helped over 1,800 families in 50 states, including DC and Puerto Rico.
We recently caught up with Sheila Bennett, Executive Director of CORE, to learn more about the charity and how the bar and restaurant industry can support it.
Why should people donate to CORE?
Sheila: CORE is a national nonprofit that directly provides financial relief to food and beverage service employees who face a health crisis, major injury that would keep them from work, death, or natural disaster. More than 40% of Americans are not prepared for an unexpected financial emergency. The same can be true for employees with children that face one of these qualifying circumstances. CORE exists to help these families as it is a working employees benefit and resource. Our goal is to take some of the stress away that can also impede healing.
When an employee qualifies for a grant, we often hear that we provided hope, and they are grateful that organizations in our industry have contributed to CORE to serve as a financial safety net. It builds a sense of pride that organizations in our industry are there for them.
With inflation and costs going up—including medical care—have you noticed an increase in need or a change in the type of resources people are needing?
A CORE grant may cover rent/mortgage, utilities, medical equipment, prescription costs, medical supplies, or provide funds for basic necessities such as keeping food on the table. These are the primary costs that a family still requests help for. They convey that they worry about paying rent/mortgage when missing work and losing their home. This is the number-one request we have seen historically and continue to see; it remains a constant.
In addition to donations, how can the bar/restaurant industry support your work?
Individuals can sign up to serve as a CORE Ambassador. This is a volunteer that shares information about CORE through their network, and they can volunteer at industry events too. We will have volunteer opportunities at the VIBE Conference, the Restaurant Leadership Conference, and at the Aspen Wine & Food Festival. Simply sign up to become an Ambassador and receive information about volunteering at one of these events. When partners conduct fundraising promotions, everyone can support these activities. They are posted on the CORE events and promotions page.
The pandemic shifted the thinking around employee culture and benefits at restaurants/bars. Have you observed more establishments offering benefits to employees or considering it?
We receive calls from operators that want to learn about how CORE works so it can be offered as a benefit/resource. We also hear from operators that would like to create a program similar to CORE and also find a way to fund our work to offer as an added benefit or to simply support an industry-focused cause that helps employees in our industry. Many independent operators struggle with rising costs and are grateful that a resource like CORE exists.
Plan to Attend or Participate in the Vibe Conference, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2023
To learn more about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the on-premise beverage community, plan to attend the Vibe Conference, Feb. 27 to March 1, 2023 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Visit VibeConference.com.
2023 Sponsorships are SOLD OUT. Contact us now to secure your program for 2024 from February 26-28 2024
Fadi Alsayegh Sales & Sponsorships Email: [email protected] Phone: 917-258-5174
Donna Bruns Sales & Sponsorships Email: [email protected] Phone: 936-522-6932
Charlie Forman Sales & Sponsorships Email: [email protected] Phone: 845-262-1041
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