Hidden before, the fragile lives of workers in food, beverage and hospitality were exposed by the pandemic. Many of these individuals live below the poverty line, lack basic benefits, and struggle with physical and/or mental health issues. Who will care for and serve those people dedicated to serving us? Here are three non-profits creating a culture of care, providing safety nets to help catch them.
BIG TABLE
Founded in Spokane, WA in 2009, this is the only non-profit in the country providing both triage crisis care and ongoing coaching and support for restaurant and hospitality workers in need. Big Table Nashville opened in 2021, led by director Jen Seger, and works with each person individually to respond to what is most urgent, while helping them uncover and resolve deeper issues. (big-table.com)
What prompted you to come to Nashville?
Big Table’s board has a vision to have active care teams in 10 strategic cities across the country by 2029. Nashville fit our desire to engage first in cities that have both significant restaurant/ hospitality communities and a culture of care. Nashville topped the list in both. We have watched the Nashville community show up time after time with such generosity through the last several years. We know the bedrock of Nashville’s tourism is the hospitality industry and these are our people. 4000 restaurants, 400 hotels, and growing. There are so many workers here who need crisis care and relationship, especially after the pandemic. After a few exploratory trips and development meetings, we saw doors and hearts open to our mission of relational care by corporate, industry and faith organizations. We knew we had to have boots on the ground in Nashville.
What’s the “secret sauce” that sets Big Table apart?
Big Table cares for those in crisis directly, personally, and collaboratively—working to build a local movement of people who are aware and willing to help through Timely Interventions, Intentional Relationships and Transformational Care. The ongoing mentorship piece is crucial. We focus on an industry not an issue. We help folks with various challenges such as navigating housing instability, mental health, or addiction, but we are helping because of where they work not because of what’s wrong. There’s a lot of dignity in being seen and cared for without your most pressing need being what defines you. There is also a real Big Table, seating 48, where we invite folks in the industry and serve them a multi-coursed meal and build community.
How can we help?
Donate to Big Table. Give an Unexpected 20: Give a $20 gift to someone working in the industry. Special gift envelopes are available on our website. Sponsor a Care Blitz. Coordinate with Big Table and organize friends to surprise an industry worker in crisis with Unexpected 20 gifts. Adopt a restaurant: Dine out regularly, get to know the people working there, look for ways to support them. Host a benefit: Partner with Big Table to raise money.
Jen Seger.
CORE CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES
This national non-profit based in Brentwood, Tennessee provides financial relief to food and beverage service employees with children when either the employee, spouse or child has a health crisis, injury, death or loss of home due to a natural disaster. Led by native Nashvillian Sheila Bennett, CORE has provided support to Tennessee families in this industry for over 15 years. (coregives.org)
How is CORE making an impact?
CORE has provided hope to families in dire need. It could be a house fire that has left them with nothing, or a single mom learning that her young daughter must battle a new leukemia diagnosis, and not knowing how she can manage financially with missed work shifts as a server. Each call renews our purpose to get the word out about CORE and help more families that may qualify for a CORE grant. CORE is here to bridge the gap. We help families keep a roof over their head and food on the table as they navigate their specific circumstance. Based on the 2021 Technomic study, Crisis on the Front Lines, 55 percent of restaurant workers have legally dependent children, 43 percent of CORE grantees are single parents and 83 percent of grants cover a medical crisis. An average grant of $2,500 can be used for rent/mortgage, utilities, medical equipment, prescription costs, and basic necessities. We are grateful to the employees dedicated to serving us everyday. Let’s be there for them when an unexpected health crisis or a natural disaster hits.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
The pandemic made us stronger and better. In 2020, we helped five times the number of families, while implementing new processes to make our organization more efficient. We added a family information resource center for employees looking for support. We also created a new Operator Brand Advocate Program to provide food and beverage service operators with information and tools to help their employees who may qualify for a grant. This program has proven to speed up the grant application and approval process.
How can we get involved?
Become a CORE Ambassador and help leverage your voice on social media. If you are an operator, become an Operator Brand Advocate to learn about CORE grant criteria that can help qualified applicants. Make an end of year tax-deductible donation or become a Corporate Partner. Help distribute CORE Back of the House posters to restaurants in your community to increase awareness of this valuable resource. Either download and print the poster at coregives.org or order copies from calagazordering.com.
Sheila Bennett
THE GIVING KITCHEN
When Atlanta-based chef Ryan Hidinger was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2012, the city responded with a deluge of aid. This inspired the formation of Giving Kitchen in 2013 to provide emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. Those who have experienced injury, illness, housing disaster or death of a family member can receive funds to cover living expenses. The Giving Kitchen recently expanded to serve Tennessee. Ryan’s wife and GK co-founder Jen Hidinger-Kendrick serves as the Sr. Director of Community Engagement. (thegivingkitchen.org)
What are the core values of Giving Kitchen, and how did you grow to expand the reach?
I believe that the outpouring of generosity and support gave Ryan a peace of mind that changed his life during his final year. The overwhelming response to our crisis set the intentions that built Giving Kitchen on a foundation of empathy, generosity, and community, by people coming together in such a selfless way, allowing Ryan to find acceptance of his journey and thus inspiring those who surrounded him. GK grew based off the same principles of precision, trust and gratitude by listening to the community we were serving and meeting them where they were. As clients continued to need financial aid, they also needed more: access to health and wellness opportunities, physical and mental health resources. Giving Kitchen became more inclusive to make sure we were able to offer the right person the right resource, at the right time.
Your assistance is more than financial. Tell us about the Stability Network.
Through our Stability Network—partnerships with national, regional, and local service organizations— GK can connect food service workers in crisis to resources that they may have not been aware of— from housing and utilities to health and wellness to employment and more. GK is committed to caring for the mental health of food service workers, including GK Stability Network mental health resources, free QPR Institute suicide prevention training for any food service worker in America, and a Substance Abuse Recovery Initiative that helps pay living expenses for food service workers undergoing inpatient treatment.
What ways can we participate?
Spread The Word. As you engage with the food service community, let them know that GK is here to help. Donate in ways that work for you, such as recurring or one-time donations, partnered fundraisers in the community, or by purchasing Giving Kitchen co-branded products. Attend events that benefit Giving Kitchen. Follow givingkitchen and sign up for our newsletter on our website.
Jen Hidinger-Kendrick