Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand

The restaurants have committed to provide 87,000 free meals to impacted New Yorkers. On September 3, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity, and One Fair Wage announced nearly 100 restaurants were awarded $2.3 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Program to support restaurant employees and to make meals accessible to New Yorkers impacted by COVID-19.

The Restaurant Revitalization program began in June, and works with One Fair Wage and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to supports restaurant workers affected by COVID-19. Participating restaurants are each eligible for $30,000 in funding to subsidized employees $20 per hour for at least six weeks.

These restaurants have committed to paying employees minimum wage in addition to tips over the next three to five years, promoting race and gender equity, and providing a total of nearly 87,000 free meals to vulnerable New Yorkers. Many participating restaurants will also participate in workers’ rights law training and employee empowerment seminars.

First Lady Chirlane McCray commented, “The Restaurant Revitalization Program is a reminder of what can be achieved when the public and private sector come together to help strengthen communities by addressing inequity with reforms and bolstering struggling businesses. This initiative will help restaurants get back on their feet, and preserve the culture and warm, personal connection these familiar spaces provide in our neighborhoods.”

By: Victoria Agosta (Victoria is the CityLaw Intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2022.)