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A Letter from Senior Director of Client Services Leah Melnick

I joined GK in its infancy and have had the privilege of speaking with clients every day. A well-known issue has continued to surface through conversations surrounding their current hardship: substance abuse.

Long hours, a fast-paced environment, the demanding nature of the job, and proximity to alcohol are just some of the factors contributing to drug and alcohol abuse within the food service industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified two of the known drivers of substance abuse and misuse: loneliness and isolation.

While our team has always focused efforts on strengthening our resources and referral options to support addiction recovery, now we can do even more: any food service worker who undergoes inpatient treatment for substance abuse is eligible to apply for financial assistance from GK. Awards will pay for living expenses based on financial need and in coordination with a formal diagnosis and completed time in treatment.

We continue to seek partnerships with treatment centers and other organizations that support substance abuse recovery, and we are constantly incorporating referrals into our Stability Network library – providing a holistic approach to stability for food service workers. If you can provide resources to food service workers, consider becoming a Stability Network partner.

Giving Kitchen is proud to support food service workers in recovery as they make the brave decision to get the help they need.

With gratitude,  

Leah Melnick
Senior Director of Client Services

December, 2020

Will Baber: GK’s First Substance Abuse Recovery Client

My name is Will Baber, and I am filled with gratitude, hope, love, redemption, and optimism. I am a recovering alcoholic who found my oxygen mask on January 24, 2021. That is the day I entered rehab for alcohol at the Ridgeview Facility. I have spent 20 years in the food and beverage industry in Atlanta and over those years I drank A LOT! I have been involved in restaurants, hotels, catering, music venues, family entertainment centers, wineries, and breweries. I had a big accelerator pedal but was someone who never found the brake pedal. I have been successful at all my jobs while I was a highly functioning alcoholic. My colleagues, bosses, and team had no idea. I was always the life of the party, but for me, it did not stop there. I was the kind of drinker that could not wait until a Monday off when I could start drinking at 6 am, nap, get drunk at lunch, nap, and then go round three in the evening.  

In late 2020, my wife Hannah and I knew something had to change. Our marriage and partnership were amazing but my mental and physical health was on the decline. Even though we spent tons of time together, I was not fully present for the past couple of years. I met with psychiatrists, MDs, addiction specialists, and close friends. We made the decision to enter a treatment facility after the beginning of the year when events and volume slowed down. I need to pause and say that Hannah Baber is a saint, my savior, my rock, and the most badass person alive.  

I completed a 4-week program at Ridgeview and came out healthy, motivated, mentally clear, and ready to conquer the world. I posted my struggle and journey on my social media pages to loop in friends and family and hold myself accountable. I was contacted by Naomi with Giving Kitchen whom I had known for many years. She let me know about the new addiction recovery arm that was in its fledgling stage. She encouraged me to apply for financial assistance to help offset some of the bills that occurred while I was out of work at rehab. I was incredibly grateful but told her there were so many others that needed the help more than we did and I could not accept the money. She used the oxygen mask analogy for me. At the time I was the Director of Hospitality at Wild Heaven Beer. If I am not in a good space myself, how can I lead a team? Take the oxygen mask, breath, and then help put the oxygen mask on others. This really hit home with me. Hannah and I applied for assistance and the financial support took a tremendous burden from us.  

Instead of stressing about bills, I was able to focus on me and my recovery as well as reconnecting with my wife. I became regularly active in AA, got a sponsor, started working out again, started eating healthy, read, meditated, stretched, joined a men’s group, and became a better husband and friend. I saw every day as a gift that could not have been possible without rehab and financial support from the Giving Kitchen. I learned how to function without substances and party without booze. My lifestyle changed and I became a calmer, kinder, and better person. After 6 months of being clean, I wanted to see if I could slowly introduce alcohol back into my life. I am happy to say that I have been able to enjoy an occasional glass of wine or beer responsibly without additional cravings. I have been able to enjoy a nice glass of wine paired with a delicious meal. We keep no alcohol in the house and save it as a treat or special occasion. Giving Kitchen and rehab helped me reset my life. I feel free from the shackles of addiction and am taking each day as it comes. Hannah and I are very disciplined with our schedule, diet, downtime, sleep, family time, workout schedule, and communication about our feelings.  

Giving Kitchen in conjunction with Hannah helped save my life. I would not have hit 50 at the rate I was going. Thank You and Love cannot begin to express my feelings for both!