Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation Provides Over $100,000 in Local Emergency Assistance, Commits to Continuing to Support the Community
August 18, 2020
Owners and general managers of Tarrant County restaurants or bars with food service may still submit applications on behalf of their employees facing extreme hardship due to COVID-19
(Fort Worth, Texas) --- Julie Eastman, Executive Director of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation and Festival, today announced that the organization has exceeded its original goal of donating $100,000 to local employees of restaurants or bars (with food service) that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic challenges. The Foundation will continue to review applications and provide relief funding.
“The current pandemic and economic crisis have really negatively impacted the service industry,” said Ms. Eastman. “Our own 2020 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival was canceled this spring, so we’ve taken this year to focus on giving back to our food and beverage partners who do so much for us as well as our community.”
The Foundation’s original purpose was to celebrate local culinary talent today while also helping protect it for tomorrow, funding culinary scholarships, classroom grants and more, creating bright futures for local students, their families, and the community. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the Foundation temporarily shifted focus and developed their Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, committing $100,000 to emergency assistance to employees of restaurants and/or bars (with food service) impacted by recent public health issues that limit available work in the community.
According to the Foundation, restaurant owners or general managers may apply for funds to help employees who are experiencing extreme hardship as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis. Funds of up to $500 per employee are available. To be eligible, the owner or GM of the business that is applying on behalf of employee(s) must:
- Have either participated in the 2019 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival (FWFWF), registered to participate in 2020 FWFWF, or be either a locally owned and operated restaurant group or an independent restaurant in Tarrant County.
- Have recently had a public health related layoff, furlough or business slowdown.
- Demonstrate need based on extreme hardship in addition to public health related closures/slowdowns.
“We believe that great restaurants make great cities, and right now, our restaurants need our help,” continued Ms. Eastman. “While proceeds from our Festival fund our non-profit Foundation, we are accepting donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to help ensure our culinary and beverage community will survive.”
To donate to the relief fund, click here. To apply on behalf of your employee, click here.
About the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation
Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation that is funded by proceeds from the annual Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival. The Foundation celebrates local culinary talent today while also helping protect it for tomorrow, funding culinary scholarships, classroom grants and more, creating bright futures for local students, their families, and the community. For more information, visit FWFWF online.