New relief fund aims to help hospitality workers

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – The Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association has launched its Hospitality Relief Fund. The association says the fund will support hospitality workers facing hardship and will aim to help as many out-of-work workers as possible.

Amid the current mass restaurant and hospitality business shutdowns, the organization says it has revamped its Indiana Tourism and Hospitality Foundation Inc. to create the relief fund. The new fund will provide one-time $500 grants to eligible employees.

“Over the last month, we’ve seen tragic losses in the hospitality community. We’re so grateful for all our partners who helped us launch this initiative to give back to employees of the hospitality industry,” said Elise Shrock, director of operations for the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The hardships these Hoosiers are facing runs the gamut and while we know it won’t solve all of their issues, we are hopeful that a $500 grant will provide much-needed relief for them to get by. If you are able, we hope you can find it in your hearts to support the industry workers who have made a career of serving each and every one of our communities.”

The association says 3,652 hospitality workers have already completed the online application to request a grant, and community members have raised more than $85,000 in donations to support the fund.

As of press time, the associations says it can fulfill 172 of the submitted applications based on the current available funds. The association is encouraging Hoosiers to make a donation to the hospitality workers by visiting their website.