We know the tough choices and the financial pressures you’re facing right now. It’s one of the hardest times in America’s history to be a restaurant. Due to the social distancing measures to fight COVID-19, restaurants are facing an unprecedented time of hardship and struggle. But you’re not in this alone. We at Culinary Guide Shop stand with restaurant owners, servers, and others in the food industry to offer support and resources during this crisis.

If you are a supporter of restaurants, we encourage you to order your next meal for delivery or takeout to help show your support for local restaurant employees. Spread the word on social media, encourage your friends to order takeout, and consider donating to organizations who provide support for restaurants.

As our industry tries to figure out what’s next, we can offer an ear and support through the resources that we’ve found (A full list can be found here):

Funding

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation was created to help advocate for a better environment for restaurant workers but in light of recent circumstances they’ve reoriented.As a result of COVID-19, they have mobilized direct support for organizations, businesses, and individual workers who are being impacted and want to ensure people have the support they need to stay alive.

The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund

The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund provides critical financial assistance to small, independent restaurants that, due to the COVID-19 national disaster, have an immediate need for funds to pay set operating expenses and keep from going out of business. Their goal is to support workers, sustain local business, reduce the financial impact on communities, and otherwise mitigate the severe economic consequences of this global pandemic.

Dining Bonds Initiative

The Dining Bond Initiative offers a simple way to crowdsource some emergency funding. Supporters of your restaurant are encouraged to  purchase “restaurant bonds” at a discount which can then be used as giftcards after the restaurants are allowed to open.

Advocacy

National Restaurant Association

By helping restaurants get in contact with their legislators, the National Restaurant Association was pivotal in making sure restaurants were included in the COVID-19 legislation. Visit their website to join their efforts in advocating for restaurants at the state and national level.

The Independent Restaurant Coalition

The Independent Restaurant Coalition was actually created specifically as a response to COVID-19. By uniting independent restaurants into a coalition, it hopes to create a powerful voice in support of help in this time of great need.

General Resources

Cherry Bombe 

By organizing the resources available to restaurants based on their specific geography, Cherry Bombe can direct you to the most relevant organization working to support you. No matter if you have a restaurant, small business, or worked in hospitality, there are valuable tools available on their website.

Forward Fooding (Spreadsheet)

Forward Fooding created an extensive list of the different meetups, Zoom mixers, and resources that can provide invaluable information on how to respond to COVID-19. They are focused on building a community of people who can create mutually beneficial relationships and generate the most impactful solutions.