Truly the King of Flavourtown
The American restaurateur and TV host Guy Fiery raised approximately $25 million for restaurant staff who have faced financial insecurity due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The well-known restaurateur partnered up with the National Restaurant Association (NRA) during the pandemic in an effort to raise money for staff working in restaurants via a ‘Restaurant Employee Relief Fund’.
Speaking about the launch of the relief fund, Fiery told CBS News: “You know, so many people work in the restaurant industry in multiple jobs, second jobs, single moms, single parents, students, retirees. And the restaurant industry is massively important to our communities.”
“And so, when I saw this coming, I said, ‘We got to do something to get some money to these folks’.”
The relief fund is supported by over fifty companies and has received 15,000 donations so far, it has been revealed.
Under the successful scheme, restaurant workers who have been made redundant or taken a pay cut due to the pandemic are able to apply for grants from the fund.
If the requests are approved, restaurant workers can receive a one-off grant of $500.
On Twitter, the National Restaurant Association said: “Near the top of our pandemic accomplishments is the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. @NRAEF partnered with celebrity chef @GuyFieri to provide grants to more than 43,000 restaurant workers.”
Near the top of our pandemic accomplishments is the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. @NRAEF partnered with celebrity chef @GuyFieri to provide grants to more than 43,000 restaurant workers. Check out the impact: https://t.co/TdeIuPjXVF #WeRRestaurants pic.twitter.com/ywqUV4WVoc
— National Restaurant Association (@WeRRestaurants) April 2, 2021
On Instagram, the NRAE Foundation thanked donors for their financial support.
The organisation said: “We are grateful for the financial support of donors across the country which has made these grants possible, and for the patience of our applicants as we have reviewed their compelling stories of need.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_71wv7F-E6/?utm_source=ig_embed
Speaking about the relief fund, Fieri told CBS that he had been approached by restaurant staff, who thanked him for his financial support.
