SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — While many Sarasota County barrier island restaurants remain closed, some others in the area have slowly started reopening after the impacts of two consecutive hurricanes.
But for many workers, those lost days of work and wages can't be regained. That's why one local organization is working to put cash in the hands of workers to help with their recovery.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton created significant financial challenges for area food and beverage workers when many restaurants had to shut down. Several farms and hotels and inns also had to cease operations to allow their workers to evacuate.
"You try and prepare the best you can you're home and your finances you know, especially in our industry with an impending hurricane, but you never expect to be out a week, out of work for a week or you know more than that," Kaitlyn Baranski, a bartender at Geckos in Venice said.
"The first hurricane put us out of three or four days of work and then this one was a little over a week so I mean I know there's a places that are a lot worse off than we are," Angela Sharpe, a waitress with Pops Sunset Grill in Venice said.
Along with damage sustained by both restaurants, a shortfall in wages and tips has caused a domino effect.
"I have some coworkers that have not been so lucky so seeing that and seeing the effects in the community as a whole has been hard," Baranski said.
"You have to save to get through these months but then you have things like this happen and you can't even meet your needs you know and then your power goes out and you lose all your food. It's just it's it's a rough time," Sharpe said.
In light of this disruption to income flow for such workers as Baranski and Sharpe, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has stepped in to offer grants.
"After the impact of Hurricane Helene, we saw an acute need for the restaurant workers who were affected on our barrier islands, and we wanted to get cash in the hands of those who needed it the most until federal and state would become available to them," Phillip Lanham, President/CEO, GulfCoast Community Foundation said.
The organization is providing $1,000 to individuals and $1,200 to families. This grant covers folks in the farming industry, those in the hospitality, food and beverage industry such as waiters, bartenders, grocery workers and delivery drivers.
"As a former bartender in my college days, I know how much these individuals depend on cash tips, and without the restaurant being open, they're being directly affected immediately," Lanham said.
The funds would only be available to people who live or work in Sarasota, Desoto and Charlotte counties and so far nearly 150 have applied.
"Oh yes, that would be a huge blessing for me. A very big blessing. I know my other coworkers. They haven't even been able to pay their rent for October so that would make a huge difference in their life as well," Sharpe said.
"To just relieve that financial burden for a minute, I certainly think that will help everybody as a whole be able to heal," Baranski said.
You can visit the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to apply for the grant.