The Catering Outfit Helps

We’re a popup food bank supporting local restaurant workers in a time of need.

;

Hours & FAQs

Hours for pickup

The food pantry will be open at The Catering Outfit’s event space, “The Atrium” at 221 Carlton Road, Suite 8 from 11am – 2pm on Mondays and Thursdays or until we run out of food. The days will vary depending on food availability. To keep up-to-date on days and hours we will be open please follow The Catering Outfit’s Facebook page or Instagram.

The Catering Outfit Helps is intended to provide tangible support to restaurant workers in these times of need. Participants are asked to show their most recent pay stub to confirm eligibility.

Responsible sanitation and social distancing measures will be followed at all times.

Support by Donating

FAQ

Who is eligible to receive donations?

All restaurant workers in the region. It doesn’t matter if you have been laid off or your hours reduced. Simply bring a recent pay stub, show it upon entry, and take what you need.

Is this limited to restaurant workers in Charlottesville?

No, all restaurant workers are welcome.

What will be available?

Starting out, items will be limited to shelf stable packaged products. A wide variety of items will be available but it will change based on donations. As the program develops we hope to add frozen and ready to eat food items as well. Stay tuned.

How much can I take?

We ask that anyone picking up food addresses immediate needs and avoids stockpiling. Remember that there are many people in need. We recommend bringing a reusable shopping bag and taking no more than what will fit in it. You can always come back another day. We reserve the right to ask folks to return items if they are taking very large amounts.

How long will the program last?

The Catering Outfit Helps will continue to operate as long as we are safely able to and items are available. We will follow all recommendations and guidelines provided by the state of Virginia.

I'm not in the restaurant Industry, can I still help?

Yes! The Catering Outfit Helps will accept any shelf stable donations from the public as well. We’ve also partnered with Sysco, Digital Minerva, Pale Fire Brewing and you can make monetary donations here.

What health precautions are being taken?

We will require all attendants to use hand sanitizer and wear gloves. Everyone who will be handling food will also be required to consistently wash hands, use hand sanitizer, and wear gloves at all times. We will also be enforcing the 6 foot social distancing rule.

spread the word

Share our page on social media and make sure people who are in need of help know about Catering Outfit Helps.

Volunteer

Email to sign up for a shift to help prepare donations and greet guests as they visit.

Click to Volunteer

Donate

Donations are graciously accepted. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at The Catering Outfit and monetary donations are welcome at our GoFundMe page. All donations will benefit restaurant workers directly.

Donate

Take what you need

Catering Outfit Helps provides shelf-stable food to make this uncertain time a little more manageable for you and your family

Concept & Mission

The Catering Outfit Helps is a partnership with Catering Outfit, Sysco Foods, and Digital Minerva. Our goal is to help people in the restaurant industry with direct support by supplying food products, free of charge.

The restaurant industry has been decimated by the COVID-19 virus and our country’s need to close or restrict public gathering spaces. Hundreds of restaurant workers in Charlottesville and the Surrounding area have been laid off with no idea of when they will be able to return to work. This means, for many, a total loss of income with little warning.

The Catering Outfit has a large, airy event space which, like most restaurants, is presently closed to the public. We have put that space to work as a pickup location for food items generously donated by Sysco Foods. Anyone in the restaurant industry is welcome to stop by our space and pick up shelf food items for themselves and their families in this time of need.

We have partnered with Go Fund Me to provide a structure which donations can be made. Digital Minerva has donated their services through the creation, hosting maintenance and ongoing updates of this website which provides up to date information to those in need.

Responsible sanitation and social distancing measures will be followed at all times.

Support by Donating

Donate Now

Become a donor

Donate Today!

Recent News

Press Release

Apr 2, 2020

April 2, 2020 — Charlottesville, VA — The Catering Outfit is teaming up with Sysco, Digital Minerva, Pale Fire Brewing, and York Property for “The Catering Outfit Helps,” a food bank resource to support restaurant workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The food pantry...

Make a Donation

Get Involved

Sign up for a shift to help prepare donations and greet guests as they visit.

Email To Volunteer