Applications are now open for the Stratford Hospitality Workers Fund. The fund is a way to help the people who seat you at a table, cook your food, serve it with a smile and clean up afterwards as the industry works through a difficult time due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a group, hospitality workers in Stratford have been among the hardest hit during pandemic,” said UWPH Executive Director Ryan Erb. “With restaurants, inns, cafes and other establishments forced to close or reduce service, frontline workers have faced real threats to their livelihoods as they deal with dramatically reduced hours or losing their jobs entirely. We hope this offers support to workers in need.”
Supported by United Way, the Stratford Hospitality Workers Fund is an outgrowth of work being done by Stratford’s Economic Recovery Task Force and inspirational leadership from Ryan Stokes (Black Swan Brewing Co.) and Larry McCabe (Pazzo Taverna and Pizzeria). The fund will provide direct financial relief to economically challenged current hospitality employees, those who have been laid off and those previously employed by one or more establishment in Stratford in 2019 and/or 2020. Grant applications open Monday, December 14. The Local Community Food Centre is responsible for distributing all monies.
“We are proud to help Stratford hospitality workers during this difficult period,” says Local Community Food Centre Executive Director Debra Swan. “We encourage all hospitality workers to apply if they need help. Simply email alltogether@thelocalcfc.org or call (519) 508-3663, extension 1005. All the partners on this project are committed to making sure hospitality workers can access the assistance they need.”
To support the fund another of the founding partners, the Stratford City Centre Business Improvement Association, is presenting a concert by the Good Lovelies on Friday, December 18. Part of the group’s online Christmas Time’s a Comin’ tour, a portion of ticket sales from the Stratford show goes directly to support the fund. For more information on the fund, to buy concert tickets or donate, GO HERE.
“We’re happy to announce the fund has already raised $8,395 to support local hospitality workers,” added Ryan Stokes from Black Swan Brewing Co. “We’d like to challenge individuals and businesses to give what they can and help the amazing people in the hospitality industry get through this difficult time.”