Southern Smoke Launches $4 Million Chicago-Specific Fund, Thanks to Anonymous Donors

The Houston-based foundation seeks to aid a sister city during the ongoing Covid crisis.

Southern Smoke 2018
Southern Smoke 2018

When cities across the United States began shutting down in March, the sudden loss of work and income was felt nowhere more deeply than in the food service industry. The ongoing uncertainty as places cautiously reopen is still unsettling, and with negotiations regarding unemployment and stimulus money at a standstill in D.C., restaurant and hospitality workers are in trouble.


A study by consulting group McKinsey & Co has shown that half a million food service jobs in the Chicago metro area are at risk — but Houston's Southern Smoke Foundation is ready to help. Southern Smoke has distributed nearly $3 million in emergency grants to more than 1,600 individuals across the country in the last five months. The James Beard Foundation connected Southern Smoke with anonymous donors to create the new Chicago Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, which will give restaurant, bar and coffee shop workers in Cook County access to $4 million in emergency funds. The donors have also pledged to match further donations up to $1 million, bringing the potential total to a staggering $6 million.

Kathryn Lott; photo by Julie SoeferKathryn Lott; photo by Julie Soefer

Southern Smoke, run by executive director Kathryn Lott, will process the applications (anonymously, per its custom) and award the money in this Chicago fund just the way it has for its national Emergency Relief Fund. It is also hiring Chicago-based restaurant workers who have been laid off or furloughed as caseworkers, application screeners and more; full- and part-time positions are available, all paying $15 per hour.

AT TOP: Chris Shepherd; photo by Catchlight Photography

Business+Innovation
Fall Philanthropy Report: Children’s Assessment Center Touts ‘Healing’ for Child Abuse Victims

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

Debbie Festari, Ann Carl, Alicia Smith and Edward Sanchez (photo by Jacob Power)

A FABULOUSLY FASHIONABLE crowd of more than 650 turned up at the American Cancer Society’s annual Tickled Pink luncheon at the Post Oak Hotel. All wearing pink, because of course, they came to raise money for breast cancer research, and also to support some of Houston’s most generous and beloved ladies — chair Sippi Khurana and honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson-Bowman, Donna Lewis, and Beth Wolff.

Keep Reading Show less
Wellness+Giving Back

AHH, A TRIP to the spa. What are you thinking about now? Therapeutic aromas, relaxing music, inventive hydration... The Thompson Houston's new spa has it all, plus absolutely stellar views from its sixth-floor perch overlooking the greenest swaths of Buffalo Bayou Park.

Keep Reading Show less
Style