Ben’s Friends is a coalition of sober F&B people committed to their sobriety in an industry filled with drugs, alcohol, and stress. Each of us has found or is seeking sobriety and a way to deal with our careers and life in a sane and purposeful fashion. We are here to share together how we do it and provide those seeking sobriety with the tools and the community needed to find it. Our only purpose is to help each other find freedom from the bondage of our addiction

Hidden behind the smiles of those working in the restaurants and hotels is the highest concentration of need in the nation. Our industry is full of amazing and gifted people and hires people no other industry will. These hard-working people have significantly increased risk for financial and emotional crisis as compared to other industries. In fact, EVERY one of the ten lowest-paid jobs in the country is in our industry based on 2020 statistics. Yet because hospitality workers are naturally required to keep smiles on their faces, their needs are virtually invisible to the world. Their job is to serve and take care of others – Big Table’s mission is to walk alongside and help take care of them when they need it most.

CORE is a national non-profit that is dedicated to providing support to the food & beverage service industry. CORE grants financial assistance to food and beverage operations employees with children when the employee, their spouse/domestic partner, or their child is faced with a life-altering health crisis, injury, death or natural disaster. Crisis Assistance – CORE directly pays monthly expenses (rent, food & utilities) to workers in the food and beverage service industry whose immediate family is experiencing a medical crisis, domestic abuse/violence, death, or a natural disaster.

Giving Kitchen is more than an organization; it is a movement built on the trust and unity of a dedicated community. As we look to the future, we are inspired by our past successes—and driven by the same principles that have guided us for over a decade.

With the support of donors, clients, and partners, we will continue to provide a lifeline for food service workers—ensuring that no one has to face hardship alone. Together, we create a more resilient and compassionate community.