Donations, grants aimed at helping OK Cafe staff after fire

Donations are pouring in for staff members of a popular Buckhead restaurant shuttered by fire.

As of 9 p.m. Thursday, just under $41,000 had been raised for the staff of the OK Cafe — a favorite spot for Atlanta movers and shakers — through an online fundraiser launched by Cousins Properties Executive Vice President John S. McColl.

“Anyone who has eaten at OK Cafe knows about the warm and friendly cooks, waitresses and other staff who make OK Cafe the beloved place that it is,” he wrote. “Your donation will help those same staff members enjoy the holiday season with their families, as if OK Cafe was never shut down.”

An Atlanta-based nonprofit announced on its Facebook page Thursday that it aims to help employees by awarding emergency assistance grants to qualified applicants. The Giving Kitchen is holding application guidance sessions Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Local Three restaurant on Northside Parkway in Atlanta.

Those seeking assistance from the nonprofit are encouraged to complete their grant applications in person during one of the two sessions. The grants, which average $2,000 each, are aimed at helping employees cover their rent and utilities.

“That’s what The Giving Kitchen is for — giving a little peace of mind into the holiday season, that it’s OK if they spent some money on some gifts for their families, because their rent or their mortgage and their utilities have been covered for them,” said Naomi Green, director of partnerships for the organization. “Our hope is to actually write checks on site.”

The iconic eatery at the corner of West Paces Ferry Road and Northside Parkway caught fire Sunday morning due to a faulty water heater.