Fundraising has proven to be a critical need for restaurants during this unprecedented time, with many turning to raising money to stay afloat. OpenTable is working around the clock to help restaurants with what they need right now, so beginning today, independent fundraisers started by individual restaurants will populate directly onto restaurant profiles.
You can now find fundraising links for restaurants who have chosen to start their own fund on their profile pages both online and in the latest version of the app — so you can search for your favorite restaurants on OpenTable and give directly to them, if a fundraiser is available. There are also regional lists that collect restaurants with fundraisers in one handy place:
Restaurants have been using the donations for basic business needs, such as paying bills and in some cases helping out their staff.
There are also several organizations that are helping the restaurant community through funds; below is a list of of places OpenTable teams have been excited about supporting beyond individual restaurants:
- National Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Fund: A fund set up for individuals who have lost their restaurant industry jobs due to COVID-19.
- The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund: A fund started by the acclaimed restaurant award organization, with money earmarked specifically for “small, independent restaurants” to help keep them from going out of business.
- The LEE Initiative Restaurant Workers Relief Program: A program create by popular chef Edward Lee that feeds laid-off service industry workers through restaurants across the country.
- World Central Kitchen: A humanitarian non-profit from award-winning chef José Andrés that sets out to feed the hungry, often through restaurants, in times of need.
Beyond donations, ordering delivery and take out, as well as buying gift cards for future use at favorite places is a boon to businesses. Any amount of support helps as the restaurant industry is going through this tough time.
