The businesses that serve the country’s chain restaurants are trying to find ways to aid out-of-work employees.
Funds are flowing in for food- and beverage-related organizations to lighten the load of so many restaurant closings.
Many beverage alcohol companies have donated more than $8.37 million collectively as of March 24.
These companies include Bacardí/Patrón, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Campari America, Constellation, Diageo, Edrington, Mast-Jägermeister, Molson Coors, MGP Ingredients, MHW, Möet Hennessy, USA, Pernod Ricard USA, Rémy Cointreau Americas, Southern Glazer’s, and many others that have donated to national and regional charities looking to offer support.
Some are starting their own emergency relief funds: Sazerac’s Fireball Whisky has created the "World’s Biggest Tip Jar" to support industry professionals, seeding it with an initial $100,000 and a promise to match all contributions donated via a GoFundMe page up to $400,000.
A major portion of supplier funding is going to the U.S. Bartenders Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund, which assists bartenders, bar backs and bar servers who are in need of financial assistance.
The USBG has set up an application process here to identify the neediest out of work; another recipient, CORE, is directing its funds to families of restaurant workers who have contracted COVID-19, and workers can apply here. Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund is another major recipient.
Click here to donate to the U.S. Bartenders Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund; and go here for the World’s Biggest Tip Jar.