Goodwill “Give Back” to Benefit Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund

Local nonprofit with employment-driven mission supports job recovery for industry hit hard by COVID

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut today announced “The Goodwill Give Back,” an initiative to support employment recovery in the restaurant industry. For every 5,000 donation instances to Goodwill this April the nonprofit will donate $1,000 to the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund. The mission of the CT Restaurant Relief Fund is to provide immediate financial relief to Connecticut’s restaurant industry with funds designed to save these businesses and protect its workforce.

“Through our Career Centers and Community Employment Services, Goodwill has connected thousands of individuals to employment opportunities in the restaurant industry,” Jeff Wieser, President & CEO, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut said. “The restaurant industry’s recovery is a critical part of Goodwill’s effectiveness in helping to get our communities back to work, and we are proud to support the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund.”

Funds from the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund are distributed to restaurants still in operation in the form of grants and funds are to be used to keep their doors open and workers employed. 

“The Connecticut Restaurant Association represents 8,500 restaurants and their 160,000 food service employees. In Goodwill, we found a partner who understands how challenging the pandemic climate is for these organizations and their employees,” Scott Dolch, Executive Director, Connecticut Restaurant Association, said. “Just as Goodwill remains committed to helping put Connecticut residents back to work, we remain committed to supporting employees of the restaurant industry during this time of significant job disruption and loss.”

Starting April 1, 2021, all donations made at Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut’s retail stores and donation centers will count towards “The Goodwill Give Back.” For every 5,000 donation instances the nonprofit will donate $1,000 to the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund. For more information and to find a location to drop off your donations, visit: https://www.goodwillgiveback.com.