The Made in New Orleans Foundation (MiNO), Bakers Against
Racism, and Chef Cassidy Lewis are partnering to make $50 "mini-grants"
available to hospitality workers, who have borne the pandemic's brunt. People
who need immediate assistance purchasing groceries are eligible for assistance.
Applicants must be at least 18 and must fill out an application at minifoundation.org.
MiNO is a nonprofit organization focused on ameliorating
racial inequality in New Olreans's hospitality industry. They work toward their
goals by providing people of color in the service industry with educational
resources, scholarships, and mentoring. Bakers Against Racism is a grassroots
funding initiative that combats racial inequality through bake-sale proceeds.
Chef Lewis, a previous participant in both MiNO and Bakers
Against Racism, had the idea to bridge the two groups through this grant
program. Lewis presented the idea to MiNO Executive Director Lauren Darnell as
an effort to make an immediate impact on the people who have suffered due to
the pandemic.
"Like many others, I was drawn to participate in
Bakers Against Racism, an amazing platform given to bakers nationwide to create
change," Lewis said. "I wanted to see
this donation creating change, not just aiding privileged people of color."
The program doesn't stop at addressing food insecurity; it's
also interested in supporting local industry. The initiative, called Bee's
Grocery Fund—after Chef Cassidy's personal company—is asking grant recipients
to spend at least 10 percent of their winnings at a local farmers market. Bee's
Grocery Fund will be collecting applications on a rolling basis and notifying
applicants on the 15th of each month for as long as funding allows.
If you would like to
donate to the funding, please head to minofoundation.org or donate via Venmo at @madeinneworleans-foundation.
