Kemper Family Foundations Donates $1 Million to Independent Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, Supports Missouri Industry Workers

ST. LOUIS, May 8, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​​​The Missouri Restaurant Association Education Foundation (MRAEF) launched the Independent Restaurant Workers Relief Fund after a $1 million donation from the Kemper family foundations. The fund was created to support those who work for independent restaurants and have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There are more than 300,000 restaurant workers in Missouri that make up 10% of the state’s workforce and the foodservice industry is estimated to be the largest sector impacted by the spread of COVID-19. Independent restaurants are suffering disproportionately in the COVID-19 crisis and their employees are more likely to need gap funding. To address this need, the MRAEF founded a restricted fund to assist the employees of locally owned and operated restaurants. 

One-time grants from the Independent Restaurant Workers Relief Fund are available to food and beverage hospitality workers whose last place of employment was an independently owned and operated restaurant or small restaurant group in Missouri or the Kansas counties of Johnson, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth. Eligible recipients will receive $500. To qualify for a grant, individuals must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

1. Underemployed (reduced hours)

2. Furloughed

3. Unemployed/laid off

Individuals who qualify for relief funds can click here to apply. These grants are made possible by generous donations, including the Kemper family foundations’ $1 million contribution. 

“As this public health emergency continues to develop and shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders close or limit restaurant operations, my family wanted to give where we could provide direct support to people whose livelihoods have been impacted,” said Mariner Kemper, co-trustee of the foundations. “We’re happy to work with the MRAEF to get much-needed financial support to workers from Missouri-based, independently owned and operated restaurants and we hope others will get involved by donating at https://www.morestaurants.org/independent-restaurant-workers-relief-fund.html/.”

“We are grateful to the Kemper family foundations for their generous donation to the Independent Restaurant Workers Relief Fund,” said Bob Bonney, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association. “This incredible contribution allows us to provide financial relief to thousands of restaurant employees in Missouri. We value the work they do and hope that these grants show our appreciation.”

Those who wish to support restaurant workers in Missouri can donate to the Independent Restaurant Workers Relief Fund here. Contributions are tax-deductible and all proceeds go to help industry employees in need.

About the Missouri Restaurant Association Education Foundation 

Established by Missouri Restaurant Association, the MRAEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The foundation's mission is to support and educate the restaurant industry’s workforce.  ​

About the Kemper family foundations

The Kemper family foundations serve a variety of philanthropic and community organizations primarily focused in an eight-state footprint. For more information, contact Alicia Beck at alicia.beck@umb.com or 816-860-1933.

Contact: 
​Catelyne Snitker 
catelyne@hootdesignco.com
(573) 229-0123

Source: Missouri Restaurant Association Education Foundation