The hospitality industry is one of the hardest hit during the Coronavirus pandemic, with enforced shut downs and social distancing rules all but eliminating the ability for anyone to travel for work or pleasure, to dine out at their favorite restaurants, or to host events.
Hospitality workers on Long Island are no exception as New York on Pause is extended once again, this time into June. As a result, workers across the island have been placed on furlough and face a rocky future.
Recently, the Long Island Hospitality Association (LIHA) launched a fundraiser to help those workers here who are impacted by Covid-19. The goal is to raise over $10,000, with funds raised by their GoFundMe distributed to hospitality workers in hotels, restaurants, catering facilities, or one of many other hospitality related organizations.
The fundraiser, launched in April, was almost halfway to its goal by the time of the publication of this article.
The Long Island Hospitality Association, which says that its mission is to promote a vibrant hospitality industry, wants to support the hospitality workforce and enable them to continue to work and reside on Long Island. The organization estimates that the Long Island hotel industry traditionally employs nearly 10% of the entire workforce on Long Island.
Funds will be distributed to applicants that meet the following criteria:
- Worked in a single Long Island based hospitality organization for at least the previous 12 consecutive months leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2019 thru February 29, 2020 or later)
- Earned $45,000 or less annually (salary, hourly wage and/or gratuities combined)
- Worked 30 hours per week or more (for at least 40 of the last 52 weeks worked)
- Provide proof of furlough or termination (on or after March 1, 2020)
- Currently either furloughed or unemployed
More details on eligibility and to apply, click here. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/liha-covid19-relief-fund.