The Grateful Table, California Restaurant Association Foundation’s (CRAF) inaugural event benefitting Restaurants Care, raised nearly $73,000 at its fundraiser last Saturday night. The funds will benefit future recipients of Restaurants Care, an emergency assistance fund providing financial support to restaurant workers facing an unforeseen hardship.
Held at the Orange County Fairground’s Red Barn in Costa Mesa, the event included a twilight reception with bites provided by Real Mex restaurants followed by a farm-to-table dinner prepared by some of the county’s most influential chefs including Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar, Ryan Adams of 370 Common, and Blake Mellgren of Craft House with desserts provided by Moulin. After dinner, guests heard testimonials from the grant recipients. To learn more about their stories, please visit: www.calrestfoundation.org.
“I am moved and humbled by the generosity of our supporters. Together, we raised close to $73,000. This will serve as a lifeline for many restaurant workers in their time of need,” comments Alycia Harshfield, CRAF’s Executive Director. “The CRA Foundation is honored to be a meaningful resource for restaurant workers.”
Restaurants Care is a program developed by CRAF, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of current and future employees in the restaurant community. The new fund, Restaurants Care, provides crisis grants to restaurant employees facing a hardship. The grant provides financial assistance for basic living expenses and costs related to illness, injury or natural disaster. Funding for Restaurants Care comes from a variety of sources including personal donations and corporate partnerships.
