Restaurant Relief Funds: Donate To CT's Unemployed Restaurant Workers

With restaurants forced to suspend their dining-in options and others closing their doors completely, COVID-19 has left many in the service industry without work. In order to help, several restaurants have come up with fundraising relief efforts to help those laid off in this crisis. From GoFundMe pages to gift card incentives, here is a guide to how you can help beloved local restaurants and their employees during these tough times.

The Spread & El Segundo

Greenwich & Norwalk: Like others, they have been forced to temporarily close our doors during this COVID-19 crisis.  They have created a relief fund to help fill in some of the gaps for our staff who have been affected by the layoffs. https://www.gofundme.com/f/financial-relief-for-el-segundothe-spreads-staff

Brasitas

Norwalk & Stamford: Although Brasitas tried to stay open for takeout, they ultimately had to close their doors. Now, they have started a GoFundMe Relief Fund for their employees.  You can donate online.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/brasitas-employee-relief-fund

Washington Prime

Norwalk & Georgetown: Washington Prime is temporarily closed.  They have set up a GoFundMe to help their time during this difficult time.  “These funds will be used to help those at WP who will face significant hardship in the weeks and maybe months to come,” they explain.  “Please find it in your heart to help our employees and help the sustainability of Washington Prime.”  https://www.gofundme.com/f/washington-prime-relief-fund

Oyster Club, Engine Room, and Grass & Bones Restaurants

Mystic: 85th Day Food Community is a Mystic, Connecticut based restaurant group and catering company that includes Oyster Club, Engine Room, and Grass & Bone restaurants.  They have set up a GoFundMe Relief Fund to benefit workers in the restaurants who have been laid off amid the crisis. https://www.gofundme.com/f/85th-day-team-support-fund

Basso Café

Norwalk: Their GoFundMe page will go to support their employees. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-basso-employees

Ibiza Tapas

Danbury: In a note on their website, htey say, “While unemployment benefits will help many employees, they will not be enough to fully cover the needs of our team and their families. To ensure support is provided to those most in need, we are establishing The Ibiza Relief Fund. You can make a donation here or by purchasing Ibiza gift cards - 100% of proceeds from now until April 6th will go toward the fund.” https://www.gofundme.com/f/ibiza-relief-fund

L’escale

Greenwich: They have created a GoFund me to support their staff: https://www.gofundme.com/f/l039escale-employee-relief-fund. In addition, when you purchase a L’escale gift card from lescalerestaurant.com, 20% of each gift card sold will go directly towards our staff.

Match

Norwalk: Due to the unprecedented times, they created a relief fund for all the employees of Match and Match Burger. You can click a button. Your contribution will directly support the servers, bartenders, bussers, kitchen staff and every employee in the restaurants. https://www.toasttab.com/match-restaurant/v3#!/

Match Burger Lobster

Westport: https://www.toasttab.com/match-burger-lobster/v3#!/

Max Restaurant Group

Through March 27, 100% of proceeds from gift cards will be placed in a fund for employees.  Purchase online.  https://www.maxdiningcard.com/

Mecha Noodle Bar

New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk: What started as “Noodles for a Cause” is now going to help hospitality workers.  .50 added to each dish will go directly to help those displaced by the virus. Takeout and delivery still available. https://mechanoodlebar.com/

Millwright’s, Simsbury

Millwright's Inspired by their friends Dan and James at Oyster Club, they have decided to give 50% of all of our gift card sales to support our out of work employees. https://millwrightsrestaurant.cardfoundry.com/giftcards.php

Schoolhouse at Cannondale

Wilton: In their own words, the fund is designed to “offer financial support to Schoolhouse (and Parlor) employees (not us as owners).”  100% of donations received will be directly distributed to the employees.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/gg7bg3-employee-fund

South End & South End Uncorked

New Canaan: Chef and Owner Nick Martschenko has created a relief fund to help employees affected by layoffs.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/south-end-amp-uncorked-relief-fund

Sugar Bowl, Darien

Organized by customer Larry Perlstein, they have the goal of raising $25,000 for staff via GoFundMe. https://www.gofundme.com/f/SugarBowlFund

Tigin Irish Pub, Stamford

“For service industry workers (front of house and kitchen) all of their income has gone away. Please consider donating even a small amount as every dollar counts. All dollars raised will go to our staff in need.” https://www.gofundme.com/f/tigin-irish-pub-staff-hardship-fund

V’s Trattoria

Hartford: When you buy a gift card for a first responder/ front lines worker, we will give you one of the same value. All proceeds from gift card sales will go directly to employees. To participate, guests can buy a virtual gift card on our website. In their email, they will receive two gift cards: one to give to a first responder and a complimentary gift card as a thank you to you.  vstrattoria.com

Me’stēzō Grill, Norwalk

This popular food truck just hit the road about 2 1/2 years ago. Me’stēzō food truck can often be found parked at Nod Hill Brewery New England brewery, Two Roads, Counterweight brewery and at many local CT events.
Here is the link to their Go Fund Me.

Artisan Restaurants

Southport & West Hartford: They have set up a GoFundMe page to help their employees during this time: https://www.gofundme.com/f/artisan-southport-employee-relief-fund.  In addition, you may also purchase a gift card from our website where 20% of each gift card sold will go directly towards their staff.

The Well Natural-Market, Wilton

 From the owners of www.shopthewell.co . “We have a very small staff of 8 and all but 3 are out of work, we are still open for curbside and delivery, unfortunately this system has not been enough to keep everyone on the clock so a program that would help support this dedicated and loving staff would be awesome, As the owner i am looking into as many options possible to support my faithful staff.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Stamford, Norwalk, New Haven, Hartford, Fairfield: They have set up a GoFundMe in which 100% of the money will be given to team members in need, overseen by a committee of their leaders and peers.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-for-folks-that-are-hit-the-hardest