Support Food + Beverage Workers Affected by the Texas Hill Country Floods

Our hearts are with everyone in the Texas Hill Country.

Southern Smoke provides financial relief during the recovery phase of disasters. We’ve committed $150,000 to support affected F+B workers and are prepared to do more. Sysco will match up to $15,000 in donations to amplify our impact.

The Hill Country Relief Fund application will open August 15. For urgent needs like medical or funeral expenses, F+B workers can apply now through our existing relief fund. Our Behind You program also offers no cost counseling to F+B workers.

Venice Sheehan

Programs Manager

Venice Sheehan grew up in a rural community in Jelm, Wyoming, where her parents owned a small historic bar, restaurant, and dance hall called Woods Landing. She began working in the restaurant at 8 years old until graduating high school, and continued working in F+B through college.

Venice graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where she is currently based. She graduated with a degree in International Studies and Spanish, focusing on social and cultural issues. Venice has experience researching and developing refugee and humanitarian aid programs in Ecuador, Haiti, and Bulgaria, and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

In her free time, Venice enjoys traveling, and all things outdoors, including hiking, camping and backpacking. She is passionate about addressing systemic inequalities and challenging the status quo. Service has always been Venice’s calling. Having seen and experienced the rewards and challenges that come with the F+B industry, being able to give back by being part of the Programs Team at Southern Smoke is truly a full-circle moment for her.