Cater Waiter COVID-19 Resources
Last updated: 4/1/20
As the owner of a staffing company in NYC, I wanted to compile the many resources I know of for easy access. I will do my best to keep this updated.
START HERE
ACCESS NYC: https://access.nyc.gov/. This website walks you through what you may be eligible for in regards to cash, food, housing, healthcare, and much more.
Financial
File for unemployment. If you can qualify, this is essentially free money. The reason is “lack of work”.
For Cambre Company folks only: Nowsta, the booking app we use, has created the Nowsta Worker Relief Fund to assist those in need.
One Fair Wage has created an emergency fund for service workers that may need cash assistance. You must fill out a form to apply.
CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) is accepting applications for funding for those with children, but you must have a documentation of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
USBG (United States Bartender’s Guild) National Charity Foundation is accepting applications for financial assistance specifically for bartenders.
Modest Needs accepts applications for hourly workers to receive grants based on need.
Actors Fund helps performers or all types get emergency assistance.
Lift Your Spirits Restaurant Employee Fund helps restaurant industry employees who are experiencing hardships.
Southern Smoke’s Emergency Relief Fund is seeking to help those that are faced unforeseen expenses that cannot or will not be covered by insurance.
ROAR (Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants) just started a financial aid package for an NYC Restaurant Employee fund for a one-time grant of $500.
Children and Education
Check this website for links to a ton of free educational resources to help keep your child academically engaged.
Spectrum and Comcast are offering discounted internet for those with children learning from home.
As an unemployed hospitality worker, you can DM Cristie to get free access to her Online Wine Course.
Emotional
If you’re feeling down or anxious, NYC has a program to help out: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/.
Donate or Volunteer
If you have extra cash, please consider supporting these organizations:
One Fair Wage is providing cash to service workers who do not have enough.
CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) is providing financial support to service workers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
USBG (United States Bartender’s Guild) National Charity Foundation supports bartenders.
SERVE (Special Events Relief for COVID Emergency) is looking for donations to help support the special events community.
If you have extra time (who doesn’t?), please consider volunteering.
Blood donations are needed right now more than ever.
Political
If you live in NYC, check this website for information on how to find your representatives: mygovnyc.org.
If you do not live in NYC, check here: https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/.
Sign the Event Industry Aid for COVID-19 change.org petition.
Opportunities
Verizon Media is looking to leverage our local NYCers who are currently unemployed to host virtual tutorials to Verizon Media NYC community. We would be asking local chefs, bartenders, hair stylists, fitness instructors, DJs, etc. to host tutorials or DJing a virtual happy hour. This would be something like teaching a cocktail making class, how to make a simple bolognese with what's in your cupboard, barbers on how to maintain your hair, etc. Verizon Media (via Culture Force) would be able to give a small compensation and our Verizon Media community can Venmo with any gratis they feel like contributing to the host: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFWopR0fjhN5NSv2cBOyN35W8S7nf-JyoX8jinP5gFqUvbFg/viewform.
Other
This website provides resources for food, rent, utility, and medical, sorted by state. Scroll down to the bottom.
This is not forever.
This is just for now.
You're not alone.
We're in this together.
It will pass.
We will be better for it.