NYSRA Update: COVID-19 Outbreak | March 26, 2020

The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) has created a Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) to support U.S. restaurant workers financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. They have raised several million dollars in early seed money, and tomorrow industry icon Guy Fieri is helping the Foundation launch a nationwide Restaurant Relief America fundraising campaign.
 
As we all know, the restaurant industry has been devastated by the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, with employees in every state out-of-work due to forced business closures. In fact, e arly estimates indicate that as many as five to seven million restaurant workers may lose their jobs.  The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund is designed to help those struggling workers, with 100 percent of the monies raised going to impacted restaurant employees. 
 
Founding Partners of the Fund are PepsiCo, Constellation Brands, Moët Hennessy USA, Ecolab, Cargill, Shift4 Payments, Procter and Gamble, The Elliot Group, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and the Light Foundation .

Look for more information on how you can donate or how your employees can apply tomorrow.

Federal
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
  • The National Restaurant Association will be holding a webinar tomorrow (Friday) at 3 p.m. on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Register here.
  • Anyone participating in that webinar should familiarize themselves with the four-page summary provided by the National Restaurant Association about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Read it HERE.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act

State
  • The NYS Department of Health reached out today to let us know that they have created ​the NYS Emotional Support Helpline | 1-844-863-9314. If you are overwhelmed right now, reach out: 1-844-863-9314The Emotional Support Helpline is staffed by specially trained volunteers. For more information and support resources: https://omh.ny.gov/ .
  • NYSRA's Government Affairs team continues outreach directly to Governor Cuomo’s staff about the monthly sales tax clarification.

Communications
  • NYSRA will be hosting a webinar with Tenenbaum Law at 11 am tomorrow entitled, COVID-19 Tax Relief: What Restaurant Owners Need To Know. More info and to register, here.
  • Did a Podcast with Sarah Schweinsberg, called The World and Everything In It.
  • Also did an interview with Eater about the governments’ response to restaurant’s pleas.