FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlanta, GA (April 2, 2020) – Atlanta Eats TV, a local, Emmy-award winning television show and media company, is leading a coalition of major Atlanta leaders including food bloggers, media personalities, and lifestyle influencers to support the industry they love most during this difficult time. This coalition of Atlanta leaders have launched a fundraiser via social media to benefit the awe-inspiring and local nonprofit, Giving Kitchen. In just a few short days, they have already amassed over $8,000 over various fundraising platforms.

“We have an incredibly strong media platform that can be pivoted and used to help support restaurant industry workers who are currently in a dire situation,” said Atlanta Eats Founder and Host, Steak Shapiro. “As a first-step in a longer-term effort to aid the restaurant industry during this crisis, we’ve launched a two-week fundraiser for the Giving Kitchen across our digital platforms to get money immediately into the hands of our restaurant industry friends who are suffering alongside the rest of us. This is Phase 1 of an ongoing effort to assist some of the most vulnerable in our community.”

Atlanta Eats has assembled an all-star team of fundraisers that includes Atlanta notables such as local Atlantan Mark Cuevas from #1 hit Netflix reality television show, “Love is Blind;” Mara Davis, media personality and Atlanta Eats co-host; Alyssa Fagien, popular food blogger from “Atlanta Bucketlist;” Candy Hom, chef and popular food blogger of “Soupbelly ATL;” Julie Smith, Atlanta Eats co-host and lifestyle and entertainment media reporter; and Olivia Arnold, popular food blogger of “FoodIsta Girl.” Approximately a dozen other popular food bloggers and lifestyle influencers have also signed onto the effort, and the list grows everyday (listed here).

Giving Kitchen is a local nonprofit providing emergency financial assistance to food industry workers in Georgia who are experiencing emergency crises like illness caused by–but not limited to–COVID-19, death of an immediate family member, injury, or disaster like flood or fire.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you, and here we are where it’s happening to everybody,” said Mara Davis, media personality, guest star on The Bert Show, and co-host of Atlanta Eats. “It really carries the impact a lot further and most restaurant employees don’t have health insurance benefits. Just because we’re in the midst of COVID-19, someone’s not going to have cancer, or diabetes or get in a car accident.”

“I feel so blessed to bring more awareness to Giving Kitchen during this challenging time,” said Mark Cuevas, certified fitness trainer and breakout star of Netflix’s Love is Blind. “We need organizations like this who are driving support to those who need it.”

Fellow participating fundraiser, Valerie Failla, Founder of Via Failla PR & Events, also added: “Our agency’s long-time work with Giving Kitchen helps to raise awareness and funding for as many hospitality employees as possible. Without restaurant employees, Atlanta’s culinary community will not achieve positive growth as a standout, southern culinary city. Only outside support for these workers will ultimately lead to the hospitality industry coming back more robust than ever before!”

Giving Kitchen also has a robust referral program called the Stability Network, another great resource that aids food services workers in receiving needed social services. Since their inception, they have served 4,440 restaurant workers.

“Any food service worker in Georgia diagnosed with COVID-19 or under medical mandatory quarantine should immediately apply for financial assistance through the Giving Kitchen. Full stop. We have their backs,” says Giving Kitchen Executive Director Bryan Schroeder.

To donate to the cause, please do so at https://bit.ly/atltoosmalltofail. This Giving Kitchen fundraiser ends soon at 11:59pm ET on April 6th, 2020; however, get in touch with trisha@atlantaeats.com to join Atlanta Eats’ second wave of efforts to help Atlanta restaurants and restaurant workers and use the hashtag, #TooSmallToFail and #ATLRestaurantsUnite when sharing on social.

About Atlanta Eats

Atlanta Eats TV is a local, Emmy-award winning television show and media production company highlighting the best of food and dining in Atlanta. In addition to their daily TV programming, Atlanta Eats also has a robust digital audience of passionate foodies across YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and their own Atlanta Eats app. Atlanta Eats was founded by Food Network personality and host, Steak Shapiro, and the television program airs 7 days a week on Peachtree TV.

About Giving Kitchen

Giving Kitchen (GK) is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources in order to create a community where crisis is met with compassion and care. Since its inception, GK has served over 4,000 food service workers in Georgia. GK’s shift starts when theirs can’t. For more about Giving Kitchen, visit givingkitchen.org, follow @givingkitchen and download the GK app (available on iOS and Android).

LINK TO PHOTO ASSETS

Media Contacts

Atlanta Eats | Trisha Pintavorn | trisha@atlantaeats.com |404-694-0507

Giving Kitchen | Amanda Newsom | amanda@thegivingkitchen.org