The availability of resources to help professionals in the food and beverage industry varies state by state. To help make sense of all the information out there, we’ve collected important advice, tips and guidelines and compiled them in one handy guide, organized by state, which we will revise as more information becomes available to us. Please feel free to reach out to group administrators with any updated information or additions to the list.
National Resources
- Coronavirus.gov
- National Restaurant Association: Status of Restaurant Operations by State
- ServSafe free online certifications
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19: Preparing Your Restaurant and Employees
- U.S. Travel Association
- IRS.gov: Coronavirus Tax Relief
- James Beard Foundation: How the Restaurant Industry is Responding to COVID-19; plus resources for diners, restaurateurs and chefs
- SBA.gov
National Direct Financial Assistance
Another Round, Another Rally Fund
We’re offering $500 relief grants for hospitality workers who lost their jobs or had their hours slashed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re also collecting donations from community members willing to help their hospitality-industry friends and neighbors stay afloat in this time of uncertainty. To apply for a grant or make a donation, use the links below.
Make a video in which you mix your favorite drink, say a toast to those affected in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry, and post it to your social media accounts using #LiftYourSpirits. The last step is to challenge your friends to do the same and to send a gift to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) that turns a tip into a donation for restaurant, foodservice and hospitality workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis!
Bartender emergency assistance program available to all bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender.
A crisis relief fund to direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community, to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to maintain payroll during closure or reopen once this crisis has passed, and to establish a relief fund for individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19.
Providing free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers who are seeing their income decline during this disaster, or aren’t able to work because of quarantines or other health concerns.
CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances.
RentAssistance provides a directory of rental assistance agencies and organizations that will help you pay your rent. Some listings are government organizations other are non-profits and charities that offer rental assistance programs.
National Organizing & Support
Petition demanding all food chains in America to adopt a paid sick-leave measure in this time of health crisis.
Save America’s Restaurants Petition
Petition imploring government leaders to engage with local industry leaders and restaurant associations immediately to come to a swift plan for how they can meaningfully give your local restaurants the best chance for survival.
IHOP & Applebee's
IHOP & Applebee’s Paid Sick Days Petition
Petition demanding that workers at Applebee’s deserve paid sick days, especially with the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.
Tens of thousands of Applebee’s and IHOP workers around the country face financial ruin in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and response. Demand that Applebee’s expand their paid sick leave to all their workers.
Applebee’s Emergency Support FB Group
IHOP Emergency Support FB Group
Denny's
Denny’s Paid Sick Days Petition
Petition demanding that workers at Denny’s deserve paid sick days, especially with the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.
Denny’s Emergency Support FB Group
Chili's
Chili’s Emergency Support FB Group
Chili’s Paid Sick Days Petition
Petition demanding that workers at Chili’s deserve paid sick days, especially with the rapid spreading of the coronavirus.
Chili’s Virtual Tip Jar Application
Chili’s Virtual Tip Jar Viewing Page
National Small Business Resources
How to Apply for the Coronavirus Business Loan
Small business owners looking for financial aid and relief due to the economic effects of the current coronavirus outbreak may want to apply for a business loan through the Small Business Administration’s loan program.
Resources by State
Alabama
Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Announcements
Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs: COVID-19 updates
Alabama Department of Labor: COVID-19 updates
Go Fund Me for MGM service workers
Alaska
Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board: Announcements
Alaksa Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs: COVID-19 updates
Arizona
Arizona Department of Economic Resources: COVID-19 info
Arkansas
Arkansas Hospitality Association: COVID-19 information and links
Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Control Dept.: Announcements
Arkansas Economic Development Commission: COVID-19 updates for business and employers
California
Off the Menu wants to support our local small-business restaurant partners and we are raising money to donate to them during this difficult time. All funds will go toward helping restaurants pay their employees wages. All money donated will be split evenly among the restaurants. No contribution is too small.
COVID-19 Unemployment and Paid Family Leave
Unemployment and paid family leave resources for California workers
A tool to help locate food banks near you in the Los Angeles area
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Finder
A tool to help locate food banks near you in the San Francisco-Marin area
Bay Area Comprehensive List by ACCRE
COVID-19 resource list initiated by Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE): Bay Area-focused.
Use this aggregator to find what restaurants in the San Francisco area are open for takeout, curbside pickup or delivery during the lockdown of San Francisco’s restaurants and bars during COVID-19.
List of general resources for those who live in the Bay Area
A list of mutual aid funds that distribute emergency grants to artists, creative professionals and freelancers facing financial hardships
Governor’s Office Resources for CA: Restaurant Association updates
Colorado
Colorado Restaurant Association: COVID-19 info plus links to Go Fund me pages, emergency and executive orders, business and employee resources, plus additional information
Connecticut
Connecticut Restaurant Association updates
Connecticut Alcohol Beverage Control: Announcements
Connecticut Lodging Association: Emergency relief funds for small businesses
Delaware
Delaware Restaurant Association updates: COVID-19-specific
Florida
Florida Hospitality Resources: Links to various websites within the page
Visit Florida: COVID-19 Resources and Information for Businesses
Reemployment Assistance: Gov. DeSantis has reminded Floridians that if their employment has been negatively impacted because of mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, these Floridians may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance.
Georgia
Giving Kitchen: Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources.
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Health: COVID notice
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Announcements
Department of Labor: COVID-19 updates
Idaho
Idaho COVID Website: COVID-19 updates
Illinois
Chicago Family Support Services Rent Assistance: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents, directly related to the prevention of homelessness, to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction in order to stabilize individuals and families in their existing rental unit.
Illinois Unemployment: Unemployment benefits may be available to some individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible.
Dining at a Distance (list of Chicago restaurants with delivery, carryout)
Chicago Hospitality United is donating 100% of proceeds from merchandise sales to hourly workers.
Indiana
Iowa
Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division: COVID-19-specific announcements
Kansas
Kansas Restaurant Association: COVID-19 updates
Dept. of Commerce: COVID-19 updates
Kansas Department of Labor: COVID-19 updates
Kentucky
Restaurant Worker Relief Program: Starting on March 17, the LEE Initiative will turn 610 Magnolia into a relief center for any restaurant worker who has been laid off or has had a significant reduction in hours. We are offering help for those in dire need of food and supplies.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: COVID-19 announcements
Louisiana
Entergy, Cox Communications and New Orleans Sewage and Water Board Halts disconnects: Entergy New Orleans will halt some customer disconnections for the time being amid the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, company officials said. Customers can call (800) 368-3749 or visit customer care centers to make payment arrangements. More information about Entergy can be found online.
South Louisiana Food Banks (Second Harvest): Providing resources and assistance to the most vulnerable, including restaurant workers.
LRA Guidance for Louisiana Restaurant Workers/Apply for unemployment insurance: If your employment has been impacted for reasons related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease), please review the following information about assistance available. The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) will do all that we can to ensure impacted workers receive the benefits for which they are eligible.
Louisiana Restaurant Association: Includes links for business recovery, recovery advocacy, interim work, tax information and much more.
Maine
Hospitality Maine Association COVID-19 updates, including unemployment insurance information
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: COVID-19 announcements
Maryland
Maryland Restaurant Association: COVID-19 resources
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Restaurant Association: Daily COVID updates
Massachusetts Department of Labor: COVID-19 update on unemployment
Cambridge Virtual Tip Jar: The city of Cambridge has ordered all bars, restaurants and other nonessential businesses to shutter. Many of our friends and neighbors depend on tips to make ends meet. This virtual tip jar is for local service industry staff, such as employees at bars, restaurants, salons, etc., to post their Venmo or PayPal information so that customers, neighbors and Cambridge community members can continue to support them.
Lowell GoFundMe: This fund will be used exclusively to support the individual kitchen staff, bartenders and servers out of work from downtown Lowell’s bar/restaurants.
Boston GoFundMe: This emergency fund is being established as an aid for workers in the hospitality industry, particularly the restaurant sector in Boston and surrounding communities that have seen a direct financial impact as a result of the current COVID-19 health crisis.
Governor Baker: Suspend Rent, Mortgage & Utility Payments Petition: In order to protect the health and housing security of our community, we call on Gov. Baker to suspend all rent, mortgage and utility payments for two full months to allow people to do what they need to in order to take care of themselves, their loved ones and the community.
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
MS Department of Employment Security (Unemployment) Information
Mississippi Department of Health: for Coronavirus Health Updates
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Restaurant Worker NYC Solidarity FB Group: A Facebook group meant to provide resources, gather supplies, offer knowledge, child care and help navigate the system or even just a place to vent about the stress of dealing with the personal and economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Sharing Excess: Food Waste Prevention
Rhode Island
South Carolina
SC Hospitality Information: Various resources, very comprehensive
South Dakota
Tennessee
Tennessee Action for Hospitality: A coalition of independent restaurant owners, hourly workers and chefs working together to connect Tennessee hospitality workers as a united front to expedite the protection, relief and welfare of and for hospitality workers at a local, state and federal level.
Texas
Governor Abbott’s Executive Order in relation to COVID-19
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Information: Specific COVID-19 updates
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Charlottesville Restaurant Community Fund: All money donated will go directly to the individuals (local Charlottesville restaurant workers) who need the monetary support the most. Funds will be dispersed to these individuals as they come in.
Richmond GoFundMe: A relief fund for local Richmond restaurant workers.
Food banks:
Washington
The Big Table (Seattle-based): Community resources for hospitality employees
Seattle GoFundMe Rent Fund: A fundraising effort to help pay rent for restaurant workers
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Madison Virtual Tip Jar: Community resources for hospitality employees.
Milwaukee GoFundMe: To help others in the industry. The money will be donated and distribute to industry friends in need. Any and all money donated would help.
Wyoming
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.