The world is facing an unexpected global crisis with challenges among the global communities and economies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As hospitalians, it is both in our nature and our duty to provide and a solution and fight with the world in helping combat the COVID-19 pandemic through our support.
Here is a summary of the legitimate organizations which you can assist in the fight against COVID-19 and its impact on society:
James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund
The JBF Food and Beverage Relief Fund is gathering donations from everyday diners as well as corporate donors to distribute micro-grants to independent businesses. Their goal is to do their part to provide for workers, sustain local business, reduce the financial impact on communities, and otherwise mitigate the severe economic consequences of this global pandemic.
Houston chef Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke Foundation is accepting donations from well-wishers and applications for funds from restaurants and restaurant employees. They provide funding to individuals in the food and beverage industry who are in crisis.
Chef José Andrés and WCK are working across America to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support. The program is designed to allow children and families to pick up and take home meals as well as delivering to seniors who cannot venture outside and healthcare workers on the frontline. WCK is now active in dozens of cities and has served over 2 million fresh meals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ZEN Rooms hotel group has recently offered one of its branches to accommodate medical workers from the hospital during the lockdown. It is also offering free accommodation to Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers who are working to supply food, distribute personal hygiene items, and give medical assistance to communities across Metro Manila. The company is also collaborating with the PRC for the Red Cross Donation Drive.
Every day, 3,600 tonnes of food waste are sent to landfills in Hong Kong, while more than one million people live in poverty struggling to afford nutritious meals. They are on a mission to change that. Feeding Hong Kong is working hard to support their frontline charity partners but need our help to get food to vulnerable people in their city.
Singapore-born Tiger Beer has launched a campaign to help the local F&B community such as coffee shops, food courts, bars, pubs and restaurants tide survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).
The latest UK government advice which discourages the public from visiting hospitality outlets has triggered an unprecedented crisis which puts many thousands of livelihoods at immediate risk. They are coordinating an industry-wide emergency appeal to support those hospitality workers impacted by widespread job losses, reduced hours, pay and even closures due to the Coronavirus.
The largest hunger relief charity in Australia, Foodbank is the pantry to the charity sector, linking surplus food and groceries to people in need. Recently, they pulled out all the stops to help a number of in-need communities during the bushfires. Now, they’re asking for you to make a donation to help provide food and essential items to the many communities who are most vulnerable, including not only those still hurting from the bushfires, but also people who are immune-compromised and our elderly. These groups have been experiencing difficulty getting to supermarkets and finding food and everyday essentials that should be on the shelves
This initiative intends to help keep chefs, bakers, mixologists, baristas and other industry experts in South Africa stay in front of their fans during lockdown with a series of masterclasses and live shows. They support the amazing people who grow the produce for their baskets, you may donate to the South African Food Communities Trust here.
Since restaurants are temporarily closed to keep everyone safe & healthy from COVID-19, Dine Out India initiates “Support & Save” that encourages consumers to help restaurants to stay financially strong by pre-buying dining vouchers at a discounted price today & redeem them later.
While not everyone of us is called to lead these relief efforts, we can still be part of what they are doing through donating to their initiatives. We hope that we remain supportive of one another as we go through these hard times. We care about you as well. Click here to sign up and access opportunities that we have for you! And remember, #stayhospitalian!
