Financial assistance
Giving Kitchen’s financial assistance program serves food service workers in crisis.
Financial assistance is awarded based on the food service worker's financial need as well as a set of criteria according to the type of crisis (see below).
Most often, our financial assistance covers the cost of rent and utilities paid directly to the service provider(s). Applications are reviewed by Giving Kitchen Case Managers and a review committee made up of GK board members.
Food service workers can apply for assistance for up to six months after a crisis occurs. Once we receive a completed application and employment verification, the average time to process the application is one week.
Please note: we do not pay medical expenses.
How to Apply for Financial Assistance
Who We Serve
Giving Kitchen serves food service workers who work in restaurants, catering, concessions, food trucks, cafeterias, and tap rooms.
Qualifying Crises
Injury
Breaks, bumps or another physical ailment causing a food service worker to miss work. Learn more.
Illness
Coughs, colds or worse; a sickness causing a food service worker to miss work. In-patient treatment for substance abuse is included in this category. Learn more.
Death of a family member
Death in a food service worker's immediate family (spouse, parent, sibling, child, or caregiver). Learn more.
Housing Disaster
Flood, fire or storm damage disrupting a food service worker's work schedule and housing. Learn more.
Refer Someone
Sometimes a food service worker is unable to begin or complete an application on their own. Whether you’re asking for help for yourself or on behalf of someone else, the first step for all food service workers in need is to fill out our Ask For Help form.