Amber Got Aid After Contracting COVID-19
Amber N.
COVID-19 Diagnosis
RESTAURANT MANAGER
ATLANTA, GA
Giving Kitchen client Amber shares her story of entering into the food industry, stumbling upon Giving Kitchen on Instagram, and asking for help after coming down with COVID-19. Manager by day, comedian by night, Amber contributes her talents to Atlanta as a food service worker and artist.
Responses have been edited for grammar and clarity.
“I usually am not one to ask for help, so it was also a great lesson for me to never hesitate to ask for help. Even in my award acceptance letter, Giving Kitchen wrote, ‘Thank you for having the courage to ask for help.’ That resonated with me. ”
— AMBER
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY?
14 years
WHY DID YOU START WORKING IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY, AND WHY ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING IN FOOD SERVICE?
I graduated college with a newspaper journalism degree. One day, I was interviewing a local band and one of them said they worked in the service industry because of the flexibility and good money. The newspaper industry was beginning its phase of massive layoffs (2006), so I decided to apply for a hosting job at a restaurant. Then I moved up to serving, and am now working as manager. I have been in a managerial position for nearly 10 years because I began my stand-up comedy career around that time. Currently, I work part-time at my restaurant for the flexibility of being able to work and still perform shows throughout the week.
WHAT HAPPENED THAT LEAD YOU TO REACH OUT TO GIVING KITCHEN FOR ASSISTANCE?
Our restaurant closed for two weeks during the holidays at the end of 2021. Then, when I returned to Atlanta after visiting my family in Nashville, I took a COVID test because my employer requested each employee get a negative test result once we re-opened. I ended up testing positive. I re-tested after 4 days and was still positive, so I ended up isolating and not working for 10 days. That ended up being a total of one month where I did not work, yet the bills were piling up.
WHAT RESOURCES DID YOU RECEIVE FROM GIVING KITCHEN?
Financial Assistance
DESCRIBE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
I went to GK's web site and clicked on the "Ask for Help" tab, then filled out the form. My case worker, Andre, reached out within 24-48 hours and guided me to the next step on applying for help with bills and rent. I scanned all the documents (utility bill, leasing agreement, print out of test results) needed for this process. I applied the next morning, and by that evening, I received my award email about Giving Kitchen providing financial aid towards my rent and utility bills.
HOW DID YOUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARD IMPACT OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE?
The award money was enough to pay for my utilities (electric and gas, the two most expensive bills) in full. So everyone in my household benefited! We are all grateful.
HOW DID THE HELP YOU GOT FROM GK IMPACT YOUR LIFE?
I follow GK on Instagram, and was scrolling down my timeline when I saw its post about asking for help. I thought about it for a day or two, then decided to fill out the initial application for financial assistance. I honestly don't think I would have asked for help if I hadn't seen that post. I usually am not one to ask for help, so it was also a great lesson for me to never hesitate to ask for help. Even in my award acceptance letter, Giving Kitchen wrote, "Thank you for having the courage to ask for help." That resonated with me.
HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I am fully recovered! I am back to my normal work schedule and am back to performing stand-up comedy regularly.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY?
I am so grateful that an organization like Giving Kitchen exists, especially for service industry workers who most likely do not have health insurance — myself included. I want to thank the staff at Giving Kitchen for their sympathy and empathy, and dedication to offering help to restaurant workers who are in dire need of assistance.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: “GIVING KITCHEN GIVES…”
Giving Kitchen gives restaurant workers the chance to breathe a sigh of relief when the unexpected happens.
Are you or do you know a food service worker in crisis? Ask for help here.