If you’re watching the news and feeling stuck—wanting to help but unsure what actually makes a difference—you’re not alone. One of the best antidotes to that feeling is action, especially action that’s practical and grounded.

Below is a list of real ways small businesses, including independent restaurants, their teams and their allies, can show up, using trusted organizations and tools that already exist. Consider this a menu of options to help you get started – pick one or two that feel most manageable to you. 

Support Hospitality Workers—Nationwide

These non-profit organizations are committed to supporting food & beverage teams when life gets hard. 

  • Giving Kitchen – Emergency financial assistance for food service workers
  • CORE  – Crisis grants for restaurant families 
  • Southern Smoke Foundation  - Emergency financial assistance and mental health support for food service workers

Don’t Overlook Mental Health Support

Stress, uncertainty, and burnout take a real toll in our industry.  Sharing these resources with your team—and reminding people they exist—can make a meaningful difference. Trusted hospitality-centered resources include:

  • Ben’s Friends – Free, peer-led support groups for restaurant and hospitality workers navigating addiction and mental health challenges
  • Southern Smoke Foundation – Behind You – No-cost mental health counseling sessions for food and beverage workers in select locations
  • BetterHelp (IRC Member Benefit) – IRC members have access to one-month of complimentary online therapy through the IRC benefits portal. If you're a member and need access to BetterHelp please email us.

Support Staff With Immigration-Related Information

Uncertainty around immigration enforcement can create stress and fear among employees and their families. The IRC provides practical, nonpartisan guidance that restaurants can share with staff and leadership:

Call Your Member of Congress

If you’re looking for a direct way to change policy, contact your member of Congress. Calls are logged whether you talk to a staff person or voicemail. Your voice matters.  Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and you’ll be quickly routed to the correct office. Share your name, business name, and how current policies and conditions are affecting your business and community. Thoughtful, respectful engagement helps ensure small business perspectives are part of the conversation.  If you’re not sure who represents you in Congress, you can look it up quickly here.

How to Support Minnesota—From Anywhere

If you’re outside Minnesota and want to help, these organizations are doing on-the-ground legal and community work. Financial support or amplifying fundraising efforts allows these groups to respond locally, without adding noise.

Use Your Platform as a Tool 

If you choose to post or communicate publicly:

  • Be careful not to share unverified reports or rumors.
  • Avoid posting identifying details, locations, or schedules.
  • Link directly to trusted organizations. 

Know the Industry Context

If you are looking for  background on how immigration and workforce policy intersects with independent restaurants, read the IRC’s  Immigration & Workforce Policy or sign our petition seeking immigration reform.

Decide What’s Sustainable For You

Everyone’s capacity is different, and that’s okay. What matters most is finding ways to show up that fit your business, your team, and your community—and that you can maintain over time. We’re in this with you and we’ll keep sharing tools and resources to help along the way.