LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — With restaurants and bars across the state closed to in-person service due to the coronavirus, empty tables are the new normal for the foreseeable future. Those empty tables are being replaced by delivery and curbside service.
While the state's decision is aimed at protecting people from COVID-19, it will affect workers. Some community members are trying to help those workers.
Sam Fore, a local restaurant owner, and her husband created the site sick-ky.com, with SICK standing for Service Industry Connector of Kentucky. On the site, out of work staff can learn about unemployment benefits and small restaurant owners can apply for disaster assistance.
If you want to know how you can help keep businesses running, there's a list of local spots and the dining options they offer during this time.
Some businesses, like A Cup of Commonwealth, are even doing their own fundraising to help out staff.
"One of our biggest efforts has been our Venmo account that we created and shared to customers and people around Lexington,” A Cup of Commonwealth General Manager Emma Crawford said. “All of the money that we get through people, we're not giving to anyone who is currently able to work. We're just splitting the hours between management and making sure that all of the other staff is well taken care of."
The coffee shop will match each donation and put them toward a pay it forward program.
girlsgirlsgirls Burritos set up a GoFundMe page to help its workers.
The community is already pitching in for both efforts, showing we can still come together even if we can't stand too close.
