The first cohort of 17 High Road Kitchens restaurants have received funding through a grant from The San Diego Foundation to feed food insecure residents and bring back laid off employees, alongside making commitments to job quality and implementing equity and racial justice practices and policies within their businesses.
“This pandemic has hit restaurants hard, and it’s been a rollercoaster for our entire staff and their families,” says Mikey Knab, Director of Operations at Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant. “Now, with High Road Kitchens, we’re able keep our employees working with the long-term initiative of increasing their wages. Being able to welcome the community with food is exactly why we’re here, and now we get to show extra love to those who need it most.”
Results to Date
- 20 employees rehired/trained in new business models (to reach 50)
- 2,769 FREE meals served (to reach 7,500)
- 2,140 meals donated by paying customers
Investment Needed for Second Cohort
We have several restaurants on the waiting list to join the next cohort and are currently seeking $125,000 in philanthropic funding to help them feed San Diego County, bring back jobs and commit to job quality and equity.
The funds will support 25 restaurants ($5,000 each) to get up and running through COVID-19 challenges. Every philanthropic dollar will be matched one-to-one by the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
Dine-in or Take-out to Support San Diego
The next time you’re deciding what to eat, think of High Road Kitchens first. By supporting these restaurants, you are supporting the local economy, contributing to equity in the restaurant industry and supporting the recreation of jobs lost in the pandemic. You will also have the option to donate additional meals to food insecure communities and frontline workers in need.
Meal options are seasonal and vary each week—with menu items such as birria tacos and banh mis. Our High Road Kitchens are here to support our communities and offer a menu that gives back! What’s not to love? Visit workforce.org/hrk for a complete list of participating restaurants.
This program made possible by The San Diego Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
