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

We offer accessibility to mental health counseling services to F+B workers across the country through a university affiliate program providing no-cost counseling to workers in CA, FL, IL, LA, ME, MA, MI, NY, SC, TN, TX, VA, and D.C. Those who live outside of the service states can apply for financial assistance for mental health crises through our Emergency Relief Fund.

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.

Navigating Crisis Together

Identifying resources in a crisis can be overwhelming. We act as advocates for F+B workers by researching and curating resources across legal aid, housing, financial assistance, and community organizations to connect applicants with the full spectrum of help available to them.

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.

2016

SSF’s donations to the MS Society total $463,000 in two years, 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 Psychology, SSF begins to provide free mental health care 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.

330 no-cost counseling sessions provided to F+B workers in Texas.

2021

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

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.

1,026 no-cost counseling sessions provided to F+B workers in Texas.

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 and raises $1.62 million.

$857,100

distributed to F+B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund.

$14,000 donated to the MS Society in honor of Antonio Gianola.

644 no-cost counseling sessions provided to F+B workers in Texas.

2023

Behind You, Southern Smoke’s program offering no cost mental health counseling in Texas, expands to four additional states—New York, Louisiana, California, and Illinois.

Charity Navigator names SSF a Four-Star Charity, stating that it exceeds or meets best practices and industry standards across almost all areas.

The Southern Smoke Festival 2023 raises $1.8 million.

$1,062,735

distributed to F+B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund.

$10,000 donated to the MS Society in honor of Antonio Gianola.

1,800 no-cost counseling sessions provided to F+B workers in Texas, New York, Louisiana, California, and Illinois through the Behind You program.

2024

The inaugural Southern Smoke Decanted wine auction raises $700,000.

The Southern Smoke Festival 2024 raises $1.5 million.

$35,000 donated to the MS Society in honor of Antonio Gianola.

Behind You, Southern Smoke’s program offering access to no cost mental health counseling, expands to five additional states—Maine, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virgina—plus Washington, D.C.

2,000 no-cost counseling sessions were provided to F+B workers in 10 states and the District through the Behind You program.

$2.7 million

distributed to F+B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund, including $1.7 million in relief for six natural disasters—Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Hurricane Beryl and the Houston derecho storm, fires in Ruidoso, NM, and the continued effects of the fires in Maui.

2025

The 2nd annual Southern Smoke Decanted wine auction raises $1.2 million.

The Southern Smoke Festival 2025 raises $1.8 million.

3,696 no-cost counseling sessions were provided to F+B workers in 12 states and the District through the Behind You program.

$15,601,090

distributed to F+B workers nationwide via the Emergency Relief Fund.

2026

The 3rd annual Southern Smoke Decanted wine auction raises $1.6 million.

Southern Smoke Foundation received a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations making a significant, positive impact on American food culture, sustainability, and equity.

There’s more
good work
ahead.

Join in