World Centric Staff / 4 minute read
The restaurant and hospitality industries have been some of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2020, over 2.1 million foodservice and hospitality workers lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. To make matters worse, the industry is composed of people from some of the most vulnerable groups: single parents, LGBTQ, at-risk teens, immigrants, and ex-felons trying to turn their lives around. And, the majority of foodservice workers are part of the working poor - one in six don’t earn enough to put them above the US poverty line, double that of any other working population in any other industry.
Photos courtesy of Big Table and Another Round, Another Rally.
The industry also sees the highest rates of people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, divorce, job instability, rapid turnover, and almost no safety net. But because this is the hospitality industry, foodservice workers must keep smiles on their faces to greet the rest of us. Because of this, their needs are often overlooked.
Two non-profits, Big Table and Another Round, Another Rally are helping support these workers in these difficult times and are providing a lifeline to many vulnerable groups.
Two non-profits, Big Table and Another Round, Another Rally are helping support these workers in these difficult times and are providing a lifeline to many vulnerable groups.
Big Table cares for restaurant and hospitality workers before they fall off the ledge by building community and caring for those in crisis, transition, or those just falling through the cracks. This care is given through a referral model - Big Table builds a network of managers, owners and employees across the industry in Spokane, San Diego and Seattle. When a foodservice worker sees a coworker in need, they can refer them to Big Table for help.
With a donation of $3,910 from World Centric’s 2020 staff giving program, Big Table was able to provide hospitality workers in crisis with immediate relief grants. Big Table’s holistic approach to care also provides long-term support for workers even after their initial crisis has passed. This includes coaching and mentoring, and connecting those in need with local resources (doctors, dentists, therapists, lawyers, etc).
With a donation of $3,910 from World Centric’s 2020 staff giving program, Big Table was able to provide hospitality workers in crisis with immediate relief grants. Big Table’s holistic approach to care also provides long-term support for workers even after their initial crisis has passed. This includes coaching and mentoring, and connecting those in need with local resources (doctors, dentists, therapists, lawyers, etc).
Another Round, Another Rally provides $500 reimbursement grants and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of underrepresented voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship. Half of grants disbursed in 2020 were given to undocumented hospitality workers who are unable to receive unemployment assistance.
With a donation of $4,260 from World Centric’s 2020 staff giving program, Another Round, Another Rally was able to provide immediate relief to the workers who are the backbone of our industry.
With a donation of $4,260 from World Centric’s 2020 staff giving program, Another Round, Another Rally was able to provide immediate relief to the workers who are the backbone of our industry.
Each year, World Centric staff are allocated $2,000 each to donate to selected organizations. A small group of employees vets non-profits for the team to support. If you're interested in donating to the above groups, please click the links to their websites to support the great work they are doing.
