Every one of us knows someone who’s been laid off, lost hours, or lost their entire job due to COVID-19. Maybe you’re one of those people. Our friends, family members, neighbors, and other fellow small businesses have been severely affected, and there’s no telling how long these hard times will linger.
These businesses, institutions, and restaurants need our help if they are to survive this pandemic. They’re vital to the life of our communities and neighborhoods, and we need them around at the end of all this. There are plenty of ways to help support them, and we encourage you to continually check this post for updated information as we learn about the best avenues to contribute to.
Thank you, in advance, for your partnership through all of this. We’re forever grateful for your patronage and support, and are proud to be a part of this incredible community. We’re better together (especially when we #stayathome)!
HENNEPIN HEALTH CARE – One of our Pay It 44Ward partners needs our help!
In the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, our country’s frontline health care providers are the heroes we need. We are writing to share an impactful way that you can support the local heroes on the front line of this crisis: The physicians and staff at Hennepin Healthcare (formally known as Hennepin County Medical Center).
The Hennepin Healthcare Foundation has established a Hennepin Heroes Fund: an emergency fund to address workforce and patient care, as it relates to Hennepin Healthcare’s response to COVID-19. Please consider donating to this incredibly important cause. Your gift will nurture the men and women on the frontlines as they care for us all. Personal protection equipment, food during their shifts, technology, supplies, and mental and spiritual care will fortify their capacity to maintain their health during for this unprecedented time.
Hennepin Heroes Fund: www.hennepinhealthcare.org/heroesfund
From everyone at France 44, thank you for continuing to support our community partner in their time of great need. Generosity is arising out of COVID-19. We do not know how long this crisis will last, but we do know our community is eager to support our healthcare heroes in any way they can. The more we work together, the stronger our response will be. France 44 is honored to be the bridge for this generosity on behalf of Hennepin Healthcare.
Thank you for your continued patronage to France 44. It is an honor to be a part of this resilient and cohesive community, and we are grateful for your business and support.
With gratitude,
Rick and Rebecca Anderson
SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
There’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the incredible food of your favorite restaurants! Stephanie March of Mpls/St. Paul Magazine has written an amazing guide for the restaurants doing curbside, takeout, and delivery. Plus, consider buying gift cards to restaurants to be used later. These two options ensure that 100% of your dollars go directly to the restaurants instead of being routed through a third-party organization.
And don’t forget about our incredible France 44 Cheese Shop! They’re putting together some amazing programs, including hand-selected cheese boxes and a Bake Sale. (!!!!!) They’re also continuing to do Curbside Pickup orders from a limited menu. More questions? Call them at 612-278-4422 for all the options they have for you.
INDIVIDUAL RESTAURANT SUPPORT
Heart of the House Foundation – Soigné Hospitality Group (Spoon & Stable, Bellecour, Demi)
Virtual Tip Jar to your favorite restaurant server
Second Harvest Heartland – Chowgirls Catering, The Bachelor Farmer, Restaurant Alma
OTHER LOCAL/NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT
JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION RELIEF FUND | The majority of the culinary community businesses we work with and support each year are small or medium size businesses with less than 500 employees who play an essential role in the communities they serve. To help bring swift economic relief to these essential businesses, the Foundation launched a fund that will be gathering support from corporate, foundation, and individual donors to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need.
ANOTHER ROUND ANOTHER RALLY | Another Round, Another Rally is a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry. They provide reimbursement grants and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of underrepresented voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship.
RESTAURANT WORKERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | RWFC are a nationwide community dedicated to making the restaurant industry more hospitable to everyone. They provide direct assistance for restaurant workers, work with nonprofits to support workers, and provide no-interest loans for small businesses nationwide.
USBG FOUNDATION | The USBG National Charity Foundation was sparked into being when a United States Bartenders’ Guild member dared to ask “how do I get out of this industry alive, with my health, a little money, and my sanity intact?” Shaken by this candid outlook on the industry, they committed the Foundation’s mission to advance the lifelong stability & wellbeing of service industry professionals through education & charitable activities. The USBG National Charity Foundation strives to achieve their mission through three programmatic pillars: Social Responsibility (Health & Wellness: physical, financial, and mental), Community Service, and Philanthropy.
