Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione pictured with Delaware Restaurant Association president & CEO Carrie Leishman.

With deep roots in coastal Delaware and humble beginnings of a small 10-gallon brewpub, the restaurant industry has held a special place in our hearts over the past 25 years. From our very own co-workers who have helped spread the off-centered love to neighboring eateries who have supported us over the years, we’re proud to call the restaurant community family.

In these most uncertain of times, our brothers and sisters in service have been hit particularly hard, which is why we’re Delaware proud of the amazingly quick work of the Delaware Restaurant Association to turn around a new relief fund to aid workers displaced by the recent restaurant industry shutdowns. The ‘Restaurant Industry E.A.T.s’ (Emergency Action Trust) will provide direct cash support to the many restaurant workers that have been laid off due to the recent state restrictions.

To help our community in need, Dogfish Head Distilling Co. co-workers have been busy producing scratch-made hand sanitizer to be sold to the State of Delaware. The sanitizer will help fulfill critical needs of the state, including providing this essential product to health organizations, first responders and more, with 100% of the profits going to the newly established ‘Restaurant Industry E.A.T.s’ fund.

“Our company has benefitted from the support of the local restaurant community for the past twenty-five years,” says Dogfish Head co-founder and communitarian Mariah Calagione. “As a beer supplier to the industry, and restaurant operators ourselves, we know the important role restaurants play in our local economy. We appreciate the Delaware Restaurant Association’s quick response to the current crisis facing hospitality workers here in Delaware and encourage those who are able to join us in supporting the E.A.T.s fund.”

The Beer & Benevolence Foundation, created by Dogfish Head founder Sam & Mariah Calagione, will also be providing an initial $50,000 donation, with another $50,000 donated once the fund reaches $150,000.

Restaurants are the cornerstone of every neighborhood and community and provide a space to gather and connect for every type of occasion, but now is the time to give back to the industry that serves us all. Those wishing to support restaurant workers and donate to the relief fund can make a donation at https://donate.chip-in.us/?nonprofitId=108097. Any amount will be accepted, and a tax-deductible donation letter will be generated upon receipt of all donations. 

The restaurant industry E.A.T.s relief fund will accept applications on a rolling basis via an online application at http://www.delawarerestaurant.org/relief and begin distributing funds on April 6th -  four weeks after the restaurant shutdowns began. Funds will be directly transferred into electronic PayPal accounts of applicants. Questions/comments can be directed to industryrelief@delawarerestaurant.org

If you’re looking for ways to support the restaurant industry beyond Delaware, our brothers and sisters at Samuel Adams have created the Restaurant Strong Fund. Partnering with The Greg Hill Foundation, the Restaurant Strong Fund supports 20 total states and those industry workers who have been impacted by COVID-19. To donate, visit www.thegreghillfoundation.org/donations/restaurantstrongfund/.