Friend,​

Every industry and every facet of life has been upended by coronavirus -- in particular the restaurants, coffee shops, and bars that make our neighborhoods feel like home. Owners, servers, chefs, cooks, and suppliers alike are struggling, and if you have a favorite restaurant -- and especially if that favorite restaurant is a small, independent business -- you have a stake in this, too.

For many of us, our local restaurants are what make New York special. Whether it is the corner deli, a neighborhood taqueria, or the best pizza on the planet, New York's restaurants and their workers define our local culture.

Now, the people who have fed us through so many hard times and celebrations need relief and fast. To help these restaurants and their workers, Team Nydia has put together a list of resources in hopes that you, too, will take action and support the local businesses that define our community.


Donate to a relief fund:

Many coalitions and organizations have started funds to address the immediate needs of affected workers across the country.

The Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund >> [link removed]
Brooklyn Service Workers Coalition >> [link removed]
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund >> [link removed]
United States Bartenders' Guild Emergency Assistance Fund >> [link removed]

In addition to larger relief funds, efforts are also happening on a smaller scale: check in on your favorite spots online to see if they're collecting donations another way, like through GoFundMe or Venmo.


Order Takeout or Delivery:

Not every restaurant is closed! To keep everyone safe, many are offering only takeout or delivery options. Find out which restaurants in your neighborhood are still open. If you can, order from them and tip generously.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been consistent on its messaging from the start of the outbreak: There's no evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted through food. To be extra careful, you should remove delivered food from the bags/packaging/containers and put it on clean dishware (and use your own utensils). If you want, you can use gloves to open the packaging/containers. Throw away the packaging materials or thoroughly clean and recycle them. Remember to immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and hot water before eating.


Buy food products and merch online:

You're likely doing more cooking at home right now than usual, and many restaurants are offering products they might not usually sell. Purchase a jar of sauce from your favorite restaurant, or add a bottle of wine to your takeout order.

Many restaurants and bars sell things like t-shirts, tote bags, hats, and mugs. Show your support by buying merch from your favorite local spot.


Buy a gift card:

Support restaurants financially by buying gift cards and saving them for later. By purchasing a gift card now, you're helping restaurant staff who need funds immediately and promising yourself a meal as soon as restaurants are open again.

There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the restaurant industry right now, and these are just a few ways you can support local workers who have been hit hardest by this crisis. If you have any other suggestions of how to help restaurants through this hard time -- let us know. If you know a restaurant worker who has been affected by this pandemic, or you are one yourself, visit the Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation website for resources on how to find assistance: [link removed].

We can't leave anyone out of our response to this pandemic. The restaurant industry and their employees have always been there for us -- now it's our turn to be there for them. Nydia will continue to fight for restaurants and culinary workers to get the financial support they need from the federal government, and we'll do everything we can to support them from within our community.


Best,
Team Nydia

P.S. - As you may have heard, last week Nydia was diagnosed with a presumed coronavirus infection. Since then, she's been at home, resting and taking over-the-counter medications, and is beginning to feel much better. She's so grateful to everyone who has reached out to her since then. We thank all of you for the continued support. Most of all, she wants to thank the healthcare workers, first responders, and all frontline workers who are the real heroes of this crisis.