Restaurant workers care hard. They’re the fuel powering the food service industry—from the dishwasher with a meticulous eye, to the server who remembers your breakfast order, to the bartender who can tell it’s been a rough day. When you’re focused on what you’re doing for others, it can be hard to take a beat and ask for help yourself. But the restaurant community has always come together to look after their own. That’s where Giving Kitchen comes in.
SpotOn is proud to partner with Giving Kitchen, the award-winning nonprofit providing emergency assistance to food service workers in crisis. Since its founding, Giving Kitchen has served over 30,000 food service workers and awarded over $15 million in financial assistance. From the Stability Network, connecting food service workers to community resources, to financial assistance, to their substance use recovery initiative, Giving Kitchen meets food service workers where they are.
But they can’t do this work alone. Here are some ways to support Giving Kitchen—and how to get help for your staff, your community, or yourself.
1. Make a donation
Make a one-time or recurring donation to Giving Kitchen. Whether that’s $5 or $500, your monthly support could pay someone’s gas bill or provide financial assistance to food service workers in your local community in their time of need.
2. Volunteer
If you’re interested in giving your time, sign up to volunteer as an individual or as a group. You’ll be the first to find out about volunteer opportunities in your area. Encourage your friends, family, or coworkers to participate with you. Many hands make light work.
3. Participate in Dining With Gratitude
For the month of September, restaurants across the country are raising funds for Giving Kitchen. If you’re an operator, join the pledge. Encourage your guests to participate by donating the proceeds of a specific menu item to Giving Kitchen right from your restaurant point-of-sale.
4. Celebrate Giving Kitchen’s National Food Service Worker Day
Giving Kitchen’s National Food Service Worker Day is September 25, 2025. Nearly 2 out of 3 people in America have worked in food service. Encourage your community to dine out and share their personal stories about how working in the service industry has impacted their life. Celebrate National Food Service Worker Day by showing gratitude to the staff who make your dining experience possible.
5. Host an event
Supporting food service workers happens year round. Host an event at your restaurant to fundraise for Giving Kitchen. Whether you’re offering limited reservations, serving exclusive menu items, or providing entertainment, there are many ways to create a memorable event for a worthwhile cause.
6. Encourage your staff to ask for help
Spread the word about Giving Kitchen in your staff meetings, employee handbooks, and team communications. Post the flyer below with a QR code in your staff area or back-of-house.
Share givingkitchen.org/help so your team knows where to turn for financial assistance in a crisis.
Whether you’re an operator or a regular, everyone can participate in making sure food service workers get cared for in a crisis. At SpotOn, we’ll keep amplifying the Giving Kitchen mission, sharing stories from food service workers, and bringing together a community that cares deeply about restaurants.
