(WXYZ) — A fundraiser with a $500,000 goal aims to help metro Detroit's restaurant industry under current COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan.
Great Lakes Hotel Supply owner Marc Israel launched the fundraiser in partnership with the Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association.
The "Local Love" GoFundMe kicks off Dec. 8 and will run through March 1, 2021. Organizers say 100% of all funds raised will go to those in need, whether it's waitstaff, hosts/hostesses, cooks or the business owners.
“Since the inception of Great Lakes Hotel Supply, it has been our honor to serve the restaurant community by providing top-notch services and equipment," Israel said. "During this never-before-seen economic crisis it is crystal clear that we must do something now to help our local restaurants survive. We are asking everyone, as individuals and as corporations, if you have the ability to donate please help us reach or exceed our goal of $500,000. These folks are really in need and it’s vital that we help them.”
A 2 tier-funding plan has been established to help both the owners and the individual employees. Business owners must register themselves and their employees for approval. Any business applying for help must be registered in the state of Michigan. All money raised will be distributed to the owners and their employees, based on total donations received.
Great Lakes Hotel Supply will write their first check in the third week of December to help the community over the Christmas holidays, and then monthly checks will be distributed. To enroll your establishment and your employees as recipients of the Local Love fund, go to https://www.glhsco.com/locallove/
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
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Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.