Yesterday, Oct. 7, the AJC reported that two local nonprofit organizations are stepping in to lend a hand to Here to Serve employees who have been affected by the closure of all 10 Here to Serve restaurants. One of those nonprofits is The Giving Kitchen , which provides emergency assistance grants to those in the restaurant community. Today, Oct. 8, The Giving Kitchen executive editor Stephanie Galer outlined the organization's plan to assist Here to Serve employees in a letter posted on her organization's Facebook page.
"To address this challenge, The Giving Kitchen has established a special restricted fund for these employees. Donations made specifically to this fund will be used to provide emergency assistance to Here 2 Serve workers facing financial crisis," Galer wrote. "We will continue to follow the grant application process that has proved to be both efficient and reliable for us and will ask workers to provide proof of employment and financial need along with documentation. We will provide assistance with rent and utilities directly, meaning that all checks will be paid directly to the grantee’s vendors."
The Giving Kitchen will host an application open house to assist employees with the grant process on Thurs., Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fri., Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its offices at 900 Dekalb Ave., in Atlanta, 30307.
The four-person organization plans to move as quickly as possible over the next couple of weeks to approve grants and distribute checks.
In addition, Galer explained how concerned citizens can get involved.
"Consider making a financial donation to the fund at www.thegivingkitchen.org. You can designate your gift at checkout. If you would like to make a gift by check to this fund (preferable for large donations to save processing fees), you must designate Here 2 Serve on the memo line and mail your check to The Giving Kitchen, PO Box 4205, Atlanta, 30302 or bring to our office during business hours."
The entire letter is posted here.
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