The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a non-profit that invests in and empowers California’s restaurant workforce is thrilled to announce it has received a $30,000 matching donation from FHLBank San Francisco through EMPLOYERS Insurance Group to support its Restaurants Care program. A relief fund for restaurant workers facing illness, injury, personal crisis or natural disaster, Restaurants Care provides grants for basic living needs like groceries, utilities, clothing, gas and rent.

“EMPLOYERS Insurance Group has had the rare privilege to become a COVID Relief Champion and support the mission of the California Restaurant Foundation and Restaurants Care to provide much needed financial assistance to workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry who have suffered economic hardships as a result of the pandemic,” says Wayne Hilston, Vice President Sales – Programs & Payroll Alliances. “We are now excited to see that our partners at FHLBank of San Francisco have joined the effort by providing a matching funds contribution to the Restaurants Care COVID Relief initiative.  We want to take the opportunity to join the California Restaurant Foundation and Restaurants Care in thanking them for their incredible generosity and community spirit!”

“We are so grateful to EMPLOYERS Insurance Group for being a Champion of Restaurants Care and securing the matching contribution. It is a wonderful coming together of two companies and their commitment to supporting those who need a helping hand when times are tough,” adds Alycia Harshfield, Executive Director, Restaurants Care. “Because of the support of compassionate companies like FHLBank San Francisco and EMPLOYERS, we will be able to serve so many more in our foodservice community and provide hope and stability.”

Over the past year, CRF has helped nearly 1,600 restaurant workers and their families and is working tirelessly to address the influx of demand with the goal to support as many in California’s restaurant community as possible. CRF understands that a diagnosis of an illness, family death or car accident is life-altering and providing support to those who are most vulnerable is critical.

“The Restaurant Cares foundation is doing an incredible job raising money to help struggling workers stay or get back on their feet amid the economic fallout of the pandemic,” Marietta Núñez, Senior Vice President and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank San Francisco, says. “We are delighted to match the very generous donation our member Employers Insurance Company has made to support this vital effort.”  

Harshfield continues, “Those who are interested in giving back to the restaurant community in honor of your favorite server, bartender or memorable service experience can easily do so by visiting www.restaurantscare.org.”