We spend a lot of time writing about, thinking about, and, of course, eating at restaurants. So, as city and state governments impose curfews, limit the capacities of establishments, and close bars and restaurants entirely, we’re asking a lot questions: Will the restaurants we know and love be able to reopen in a post-virus world? How will the cooks, servers, bussers, and bartenders who staff those restaurants make it through the coming weeks and months with no income?
The people who have fed us when we’ve needed comfort, popped bottles for us when we’ve had cause to celebrate, and brought pizza to our doorstep every other night of the week need relief, and fast. So we’ve put together this list of resources for anyone who wants to support restaurants, bars, and their staff during this unprecedented time. We want to be clear—it will take more than buying a t-shirt to save the restaurant industry. Whether or not you have the resources to make a donation or buy a gift card, contact your elected officials and tell them not to forget about the restaurant industry. Here’s what else you can do to help:
Donate to an Existing Non-Profit
If you want to support service workers whose livelihoods have been disrupted, there are several existing organizations—both regional and national—that provide aid to those in the restaurant industry. Many of these nonprofits have set up specific COVID-19 funds, and they have infrastructure and administration already in place.
One Fair Wage (California, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania)
Big Table (Seattle, Spokane, and San Diego)
Order Takeout or Delivery
Not all restaurants are closed! Many have switched to takeout or delivery only. Find out which restaurants are still operating in your neighborhood using one of these guides:
Resy’s City Guide to Takeout and Delivery Options (Resy, the restaurant reservation platform, is now allowing users to “book” a meal for takeout or delivery. They are waiving their fees.)
Grubhub has also suspended fees for their restaurant partners, and proceeds from their Donate the Change program are going to the Grubhub Community Relief Fund.
Buy Merch!
This is a great time to show your support for your favorite restaurant, bar, or coffee shop by buying some merch. If you’ve been wearing the same ratty shirt for five days in a row, switch it up with this tee featuring Prince astride a Luck Dragon. Maybe you need a new tote bag to carry your belongings from one room of your apartment to the other room of your apartment. Wear this dad hat to your next Zoom meeting and your boss need never know that you’re not wearing pants. Paint your nails Cafe Roze pink and remember that outside, it’s nearly spring! We also love the merch at these spots:
This content was originally published here.
