Andrew Gruel, founder of the Slapfish fast-casual chain, and his wife, Lauren, knew first-hand the hardships faced by the restaurant industry amid the COVID crisis.
Early on, they started giving meals to first responders and school kids who were missing lunch while their buildings were closed. But then they started hearing from so many restaurant workers who couldn’t pay their bills, couldn’t make payroll or couldn’t buy Christmas gifts for their kids.
So, the two launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for struggling restaurant workers. It has so far raised more than $350,000 of an ambitious $1 million goal. Lauren Gruel has been going through thousands of applications for aid. And the Gruels are filing for official non-profit status for their fund.