Nonprofit helps food and beverage workers cover expenses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Apron Inc. is providing emergency support to food and beverage workers as rising costs and tighter budgets put pressure on the industry and the people who keep it running.

The organization has awarded about 1,200 grants totaling more than $1.2 million over the past 15 years. The grants help workers cover expenses such as rent, medical bills and other emergencies.

Paul Berrier, co-founder of Hop Atomica, said customer traffic has remained steady, but spending habits have changed.

“We haven’t so much seen declining foot traffic. We still have about the same number of guests that come in, out-of-towners, locals, all that,” Berrier said. “What we’re majorly seeing over the last year is that those same diners spend less money.”

Berrier said rising costs are affecting household budgets and could eventually influence whether people go out at all.

For workers in the food and beverage industry, unexpected financial setbacks can make it harder to keep up with daily expenses. Robin Miller, executive director of Apron Inc., said the grants have helped people facing eviction, medical emergencies and food insecurity.

“We have heard people tell us that we’ve literally helped save them from being evicted, that we’ve helped put food on the table for their children,” Miller said. “We literally give people hope.”

Jason Smith, controller at Against the Grain, has supported Apron Inc. for the past 10 years. That support helped inspire him to create the Hop Foundation, which gives grants to brewery workers across Kentucky.

Smith said the Hop Foundation modeled its approach after Apron Inc.

“I find it unique that Apron has such a good business model,” Smith said. “We modeled word for word exactly how they were doing it, and that supports all the independent breweries throughout the state.”

Berrier said Apron Inc. gives food and beverage workers a place to turn when they face hardship.

“They don’t see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel,” Berrier said. “So Apron Inc. is one of those things that gives them light.”

A fundraiser benefiting Apron Inc. is scheduled for Oct. 28 at Hop Atomica. The event will feature works by photographer Dan Dry, with proceeds supporting food and beverage workers.