Attention, Downtown Restaurants: These Orgs Are Offering Help To You And Your Workers

The following is a list of grants and opportunities to help New York City restaurants and workers in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. We especially encourage small- and medium-size businesses to apply, as they are a huge part of what makes our Downtown community vibrant, eclectic and welcoming. 

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For Restaurants

Rethink Food NYC, a food distribution nonprofit, is offering grants of up to $40,000 to area restaurants to keep them up and running. Participants will be responsible for staffing their kitchens and operating as an extension of Rethink for 45 days, providing nutritious meals via takeout and delivery to those in need. If you are NYC-based, you are eligible to apply now. The org will select up to 30 restaurants.  

Tarallucci e Vino invites local restaurants to join their Feed the Frontlines initiative. In this program, customers purchase meals at a flat rate of $25 for front-line medical workers caring for COVID-19 patients across New York. If you are interested in participating as a restaurant, please send an email to [email protected] with your name, restaurant name, location, how many meals you can cook and your experience with delivery. Not only does this help boost sales, it also keeps our health-care workers well-fed. 

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For Individuals

Rethink Food is immediately hiring temporary workers to provide nutritious low- or no-cost meals to affected New York City families during the coronavirus pandemic. Apply to be a culinary team member, cafe team member, facilities team member or food distribution associate by filling out this form.

The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation is offering direct $500 grants to restaurant workers who have lost their jobs or had wages decreased due to COVID-19. Awards are limited to one grant per person. Applications opened April 2. 

The United States Bartender Guild is giving direct emergency funds to bartenders, as well as their spouses and children who are experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. You do not need to be a USBG member to apply.