Now Accepting Applications and Donations for California Wildfires Assistance

The application for our California Wildfires Relief Fund, which supports food and beverage workers affected by the 2025 disaster, is now open. Find the application here.

We have committed an initial funding amount of $300,000 for this relief effort. However, we know that many more food and beverage workers are in need, and we can provide further assistance with your help. If you’re interested in supporting our response efforts, please consider donating.

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.