NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund

When restaurants and bars were ordered to close dine-in service on March 17, 2020 to slow the spread of coronavirus, the financial impacts to thousands of employees were immediate and dire. The NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund was quickly mobilized in response to the pressing needs of the servers, bartenders, dishwashers and other restaurant staff facing sudden furloughs and unemployment. On behalf of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Foundation, Metzger worked with a team of collaborators to take the grassroots effort of several local Raleigh chefs to open thousands of short-term, need-based grants to hospitality workers across North Carolina, soliciting funding from major donors and creating a cohesive web-based home for those seeking assistance and those needing help to easily access relevant information and resources. 

Metzger’s experience managing large projects with many stakeholders came into play as donors, chefs, and local organizations from across the state joined forces to quickly introduce the project in the community. Working quickly in the wake of the restaurant closures, the website was created, processes for grant review outlined, and funds were gathered for a launch communicated through the press and social media. With an eye on the moving pieces and dedication to this community, Metzger was able to wrangle the moving parts to ensure a timely launch of such a necessary effort. 

In the wake of the dine-in closures, the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund processed over 15,000 grant applications, awarding more than a million dollars to workers hardest hit to help them keep food on the table and a roof over their heads as more long term solutions were developed.