New $4 Million Fund Supports Chicago Restaurant Workers

In 2015, Houston chef Chris Shepherd created the Southern Smoke Foundation to support hospitality workers in crisis.And five years later, the nonprofit has swelled in size to support thousands of struggling food and beverage workers.In July, they announced a new relief fund to support Chicago-based restaurant, bar, and coffee shop workers in crisis.So far, the new Chicago Restaurant Workers Relief Fund has distributed over $280,000 in Cook County, Illinois.They have been doing great work for years, but kicked it into high gear at a time when the industry needed it the most, Brian Jupiter,Chicago chef .To qualify for relief, applicants must have worked in the industry for six months and 30 hours per week.Eligible employees can apply at southernsmoke.org/chicago-relief-fund