The Cresap Family Foundation in partnership with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association (ORA), announces the OKC Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. The Cresap Family Foundation has pledged a $100,000 matching challenge to kickstart the relief fund managed by the ORA’s Hospitality Foundation. The fund will support workers in the Oklahoma City metro area food and beverage industry who are unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will be dispersed as $500 grants to approved applicants for their most pressing needs. Applicants must live in Oklahoma, Canadian or Cleveland Counties.
In turn, Cresap Family Foundation challenges the community to make a tax-deductible donation to the relief fund so that additional funds are raised to further support those who serve the dining public on a regular basis.
“As the state’s largest private-sector employer, Oklahoma’s foodservice industry employs over 185,000 people or 11 percent of the total job base. Many restaurant workers who have lost work amid the coronavirus outbreak are now contending with a challenging economic reality. Just as it will take time for restaurants to recover, it will also take time and resources for employees to recover their lost wages. The OKC Restaurant Employee Relief fund will help bridge the gap for these workers during this difficult time,” said Chandy Rice, ORA, director of Education.
“For everyone who is missing their morning coffee, favorite meal or happy hour… I hope you will consider giving to this fund today. Restaurant and service industry workers have always had a special place in my heart. When I was the Anheuser Busch wholesaler, we worked hand-in-hand to give our customers the best entertainment experience. As our Foundation was considering impactful ways to get much-needed funds into the hands of these professionals, we were especially excited about this relief fund because it will allow others to easily contribute and guarantee funds get into the hands of those who need immediate help,” said John Cresap, the President of the Cresap Family Foundation.
Applications will open Monday, 8 a.m. April 27 and close Wednesday, 5 p.m. April 29.
If you are an unemployed OKC metro restaurant worker apply HERE
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To donate to the OKC Employee Relief Fund click HERE
For more information contact chandy@okrestaurants.com
ABOUT Cresap Family Foundation: Denny, Gail and John Cresap established the foundation following the sale of the family’s business, Premium Beers of Oklahoma, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the country. A desire to give back to the communities that had supported Premium Beers of Oklahoma for 44 years resulted in the foundation’s creation. Including its 2019 grant-making activities, the Cresap Family Foundation has given more than $7.4 million to Oklahoma nonprofits since its founding in 2012. www.cresapfoundation.org
ABOUT ORA: The Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and food service operations, the state’s largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,000 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice management develop and strengthen business; and develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually. Visit okrestaurants.com for more information.
