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About
About Southern Smoke
News
People & Partners
Our Impact
Programs
How to Help
Events
Festival
EN
EN ES
GET HELP Emergency Relief Mental Health Services
How We Help
Stories
Timeline

Everyday impact

Southern Smoke exists to take care of our own.

As a nonprofit founded and powered by current and past F&B workers, we’ve felt the heat of our industry firsthand. Our efforts are dedicated to creating a meaningful safety net of support that doesn’t exist for most people in our world.

Covering necessary costs

According to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, less than 15% of F&B workers had healthcare coverage before the pandemic. Many live shift to shift and have to make impossible choices about paying for housing, groceries, and medical care. We help cover the cost of these essentials, and more.

Addressing mental health

Since beginning our partnership with Mental Health America of Houston and the University of Houston, we’ve given more than 100 F&B workers and their children access to free mental health care. We’re expanding the program and aim to be in all 50 states as soon as possible.

Extending aid to family

More than 55% of Southern Smoke grant recipients have at least one minor child at home. One-third have at least two. The majority of these recipients are single parents who receive zero child or marital support, and come to us on behalf of their family to help cover basic costs.

Expanding our Expertise

When situations and regulations change, we adapt. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve tracked eviction moratoriums in every state, acquired knowledge about legal aid organizations, and have become fluent in financial statements. No matter where an applicant lives in America, we can help in some way.

Here are just a few ways the goodwill of many have helped improve the lives of others.
“This organization hands down is everything. They spend their everyday lives working to help others. I am one of those "others." They have saved me from a lot since I was furloughed from my job. I never expected someone or some place to help me the way they did. I am truly thankful. This is what life should be about, helping and loving one another. Thank you.”
Server
Lexington, NC
“The grant I received from Southern Smoke was a beacon of hope. I was so scared, I was on the internet day and night, researching whatever I could find out about grants and loans. Southern Smoke was the very first one who emailed and said, 'We will help you.' It stopped my breath for a minute, I had to read it over and over again. ”
Restaurant Owner
New Orleans, LA
“We were like family at Spaghetti Warehouse, from the customers to my co-workers. I was a waiter there and I was being trained to become a manager…The storm seemed like it came out of nowhere and it really destroyed that restaurant. There was no way it was opening any time soon…I got kicked out of my apartment about two weeks after the storm because I couldn’t pay the rent. I heard about Southern Smoke from my mom and she said they were helping out people in the food and beverage industry…To get this money, it’s just incredible. It gives me my independence back, helps me provide for my three girls a little better. It gets me back on my feet and that means a lot…I love the restaurant business, it’s what I’ve done most of my adult life and I want to get back into it. You get the chance to make other people’s day better. That’s a great feeling.”
Server
Houston, TX
“I just want to say thank you so much. I am literally in tears right now. I was so afraid, particularly about my rent. I didn't know what I was going to do. I was scared I'd be homeless. I've let my Landlord know I'll be able to pay him in total. I'll also be able to get my phone back on. I'll be able to buy groceries. I am so grateful. I thank God for your organization.”
Server
Chicago, IL
“Just wanted to take a moment to encourage my industry friends to apply to the #SouthernSmoke foundation if you’re in need of financial assistance. I just received an email that I will be receiving a grant! They truly have lifted a weight off of my shoulders, and I hope that this post can help fellow industry members that may be struggling. It’s a long application process, but it’s totally worth it!”
Bartender
Chicago, IL
“Gracias por su ayuda y sobre todo por ser tan profesional porque usted me hizo sentir importante y sobre todo me dió la oportunidad de interactuar con usted no limitó mi sentir. Me sentí muy confortable y tuve confianza en usted, es por eso que pude mandarle todo los documentos que me pidió, porque cuando siento que no es amable o paciente me pongo nerviosa y me paralizo haciendo que no pueda encontrar nada de lo que necesitaba para enviarle. De verdad fue un gusto comunicarme con usted y sea el resultado que sea que tomen usted ya me dio el estímulo más valioso de una persona que muy pocos tienen y me siento agradecida por haberla tratado. Siga así nunca cambie. Dios le bendiga.”
Server
Chicago, IL
“We pretty much lost everything on our 500 acres with the hurricane. We estimate our total loss at about $400,000. It really devastated us. But the money that we received from Southern Smoke allows us to buy more seeds, replant and restart. We’re very grateful.”
Farmer
Wharton, TX
“It's all a bit overwhelming and incredibly touching. Honestly, I'm at a loss for words. It's so wonderful of him. Not everybody has a friend who could pull off something this amazing. Chris doesn't think small.”
Antonio Gianola
Southern Smoke Honoree and Inspiration
“You have no idea how ELATED I am to receive this news!! I really appreciate you and all of your partners and the donors of Southern Smoke, and a special shoutout to Alison for working with me on my case and being super patient while I gathered all of the necessary information. If there is anything I can do to pay it forward to your organization now or in the future, please let me know. I am currently looking around at my apartment, and my 4 year old son, and feel a sense of relief. We are going to be OKAY. And I hope the same for the future of myself and my fellow service industry workers.”
Bartender
Metairie, LA
“My children and I lost almost everything in the storm. It was beyond devastating. Our house is only a shell of what it once was. We were so grateful to hear what Southern Smoke was doing for the people of Houston. We are blown away be the generosity of this organization. We can't wait to get floors and furniture for our home and replace some of my childrens’ things.”
Bartender
Houston, TX
“We had a foot of water in our home and we ended up having to get rescued. It was awful and with a 2-year-old baby and my 11-year-old daughter, it was incredibly hard. The whole bottom floor of our home was ruined and we didn’t have flood insurance. We were able to get some help from FEMA but it definitely wasn’t enough to cover what we had. You just don’t realize how much money this is going to be—replacing furniture, walls, cabinets. Southern Smoke was a huge blessing for us. We’re incredibly thankful for this extra support.”
Restaurant Manager
Seabrook, TX
“I am deeply grateful and in tears. My heart is full. I don't know how to explain this feeling I’ve never felt before. I’ve never been helped like this before then again I’ve never been in this situation. I feel like I can breathe again. Southern Smoke has given me hope and helped me when I need help the most. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I have so much I want to say how thankful, grateful and blessed I feel. This is a very emotional moment for me and I’m at loss for words. God bless you and everyone at Southern Smoke Foundation for helping people like me. Please thank everyone there for me. I would hug all of you if I could.”
Restaurant Manager
Chicago, IL
“Y'all I can't begin to thank Southern Smoke enough for this! It was a lot of paperwork and panic. But this foundation just saved me and my littlest from being homeless NEXT WEEK as well as being able to continue supporting my middle daughter I have 1/2 the time whose dad is also a bartender/ server and out of work. My family is gonna be ok for the next month because of these awesome people and their sponsors. My little daughter and I literally cried tears of joy when I received this. THANK YOU SOUTHERN SMOKE! Not all heroes wear capes! (sometimes they wear aprons 😉)”
Server
Sarasota, FL
“I am forever grateful to Southern Smoke for financially supporting my family during this dark time. Your support definitely gives us the energy to keep moving forward, and to keep fighting for the best future for Jeff! And I pray for the day I can share this amazing letter of support with my brother, to hold his hand and tell him just how much his restaurant family stood up and helped him on a path of recovery. AND my mother is just so relieved! THANK YOU- above and beyond. If I could insert 10 crying emojis I would. You guys are amazing and really do take care of your own!”
Grantee
Chicago, IL
“I don't know what my children and myself would have done this month without this organization. Pre-Corona I had bartended at a great place in South Florida up until this point. I loved my job and made great money, overnight my livelihood vanished. Thank you so much Southern Smoke for the grant you provided me. I am now able to pay my rent and other bills as well as get medications I desperately need. When I come out on the other side of this I will do whatever I can do to pay it forward. This is such a huge blessing you all have gave me. One million thank yous still wouldn't be enough. Y'all are undercover heroes. God bless you. Thank you.”
Bartender
South Florida
More!
TIMELINE

2015

After learning his friend and former sommelier Antonio Gianola was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Chris Shepherd launches Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF) to raise funds for the MS Society.

Read the rest of the story.

2016

SSF’s donations to the MS Society total
$763,000
making it the largest third-party fundraiser in a five-state area.

2017

SSF shifts its focus to provide financial aid to people in the food and beverage (F&B) industry affected by Hurricane Harvey and distributes
$501,000
to 139 individuals.

As a form of broader, sustained support, SSF creates a dedicated Emergency Relief Fund to provide F&B workers across the country with immediate aid in the moments that it’s needed most.

2018

Southern Smoke Festival raises
$424,000.

$126,522
distributed to F&B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund.

In honor of Antonio Gianola, $200,000 goes to the MS Society, while $10,000 goes to Hurricane Florence relief efforts in honor of chef Sam Jones and chef Vivian Howard.

2019

Southern Smoke Festival raises
$573,394.
In honor of Antonio Gianola, $100,000 is donated to the MS Society.

$198,496
distributed to F&B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund

2020

SSF employs more than 40 furloughed and laid-off F&B individuals as case managers and application screeners.

In partnership with Mental Health America of Greater Houston and the University of Houston Department of Psychiatry, SSF begins to provide free mental healthcare to F&B employees and their children in the state of Texas.

The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF) names SSF as its largest beneficiary of funds—totaling
$3,050,000.

To provide financial assistance to F+B workers in Cook County, Chicago, the $4 million Chicago Emergency Relief Fund is launched.

SSF and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation distribute
$3,050,000
in emergency relief to restaurant workers in the Gulf states.

David Chang donates his
$1 million
win on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire to SSF—the first charity in the show’s history to win the entire prize.

$4,481,813
distributed to F&B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund

2021

SSF continues to provide financial aid to those affected by COVID-19. The donation total surpasses
$5 million.

The Robb Report grants SSF a 2021 Best of the Best award.

In partnership with The Roots Fund, SSF creates the STEP (Study, Taste, Educate, and Prosper) program, which awards annual scholarships to individuals in the BIPOC community seeking wine-related certifications.

$3,400,886
distributed to F&B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund

2022

GuideStar awards SSF the Platinum Seal of Transparency for clearly and consistently sharing information with the public about SSF’s goals and achievements.

The Southern Smoke Festival returns!

There’s more
good work
ahead.
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