UPDATE: Plate Fund launches to help Seattle restaurant workers; $500 no strings grants being issued
Sun, 04/12/2020
Update April 12
Numerous readers have reported problems with The Plate Fund and their utilization of a system called STRIPE. Westside Seattle reached out to The Plate Fund sponsors and they replied:
"The Plate Fund is using a third-party called Up Together to process applications which includes synching an applicant's bank account information. Indeed, many users have raised this issue which we are working hard to remedy as soon as possible."
Original Post
The restaurant industry and its workers, among the hardest hit in the coronavirus pandemic just got a helping hand. Launching on April 6 the Plate Fund,
The new fund will issue $500 grants, getting money into the hands of King County based restaurant workers within 48 hours. It was created by The Schultz Family Foundation, in partnership with All In Seattle, the Seattle Foundation, UpTogether and other Seattle-area restaurateurs. It begins with $4 million and hopes to raise more.
If you are or know a local restaurant worker who needs financial help due to the coronavirus crisis can apply online for a $500 no-strings, “immediate” emergency relief grant from The Plate Fund if they meet these criteria:
- Must live in King County
- Can demonstrate that they have experienced a reduction in hours or been laid off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
- They have annual gross pay of less than $62,000, inclusive of tips (and upload a recent pay stub to show it)
To make it work establish a STRIPE account here
The fund is also seeking donations and the site says:
When the COVID-19 crisis hit the Seattle area, more than 100,000 people were employed at some 5,000 food establishments in King County. Thousands of restaurants have suspended operations, closed and let go a majority of their staff. A vast majority of line cooks, wait staff, dishwashers and other employees rely on every paycheck, as well as tips, to support themselves and their families. They need to pay for necessities like food, transportation, baby products and medicine now.
How to Help Now
The Plate Fund provides immediate, one-time payments of $500 to the most impacted workers. For many, these payments can help “bridge the gap” between the time they received their last paychecks and when they can access federal stimulus payments and/or unemployment insurance benefits, which can take weeks or months. For others, this may be the only money they receive.
Restaurants, bars and cafes are the connective tissue in our communities, nourishing all of us and helping to keep our neighborhoods vibrant. Now they need us. Please, donate what you can—the cost of a cup of coffee, a dinner out, a month of meals—to help us reach more workers. It’s our turn to serve.
Comments
Thank you for what you’re…
Thank you for what you’re doing. This is remarkable! I’ve been a server for many, many years. And, sadly, no one is my area (Los Angeles) is doing such a thing. I have great concern for my kitchen staff friends, as they are undocumented, as are thousands here. And it breaks my heart. I, blessedly, will receive UI and the relief check, as well as other assistance. But I’m having difficulty finding help for my undocumented friends.
Please help us in Los Angeles if you can - even if that means reaching out to your powerful, compassionate friends here who can start a similar fund and make a difference.
Again, thank you for leading the way.
Hi, I'm The owner of The…
Hi, I'm The owner of The Station coffee shop on Beacon Hill, and I have a total of 6 employees and they are all struggling right now, we are still open for business but our sales are so low they barely make it! Thank you so much for reading this.
Hello in trying to put my…
Hello in trying to put my bank information in an it will not allow me to complete the numbers. I need help. I keep getting an error!
Thank you.
I just filled my Plate fund…
I just filled my Plate fund form with all my info.
when clicked to submit it. a message prompted " we were unable to connect with your stripe account"
Is this exclusively for…
Is this exclusively for restaurant workers? It is so great and other small business workers need this as well.
THANK THANK THANK YOU!!!!!!!
THANK THANK THANK YOU!!!!!!!
It’s really good and it’s…
It’s really good and it’s true
pretty amazing people to…
pretty amazing people to think of the first hit by this and willing to help...THANK YOU !!!
I am not from Washington…
I am not from Washington State, nor am I employed...however, I am on disability (SSDI) and will probably receive my Stimulus Check before regular working people...I believe when the call comes out from a billionaire, I am very much impressed...my donation will be a "pay forward" to when they are called out to help the less fortunate in due time....may my few dollars help someone in terrible need...
I Need to work
I Need to work
HELP!!!!! There is an error…
HELP!!!!! There is an error message after submitting bank information. What do I do?!? It says I need a stripe account.
I just filled my Plate fund…
I just filled my Plate fund form with all my info.
when clicked to submit it. a message prompted " we were unable to connect with your stripe account"
For those having issues with…
For those having issues with STRIPE ACCOUNT
Go here
https://dashboard.stripe.com/register?utm_campaign=paid_brand-US%20%7C%…
First, I'd like to thank you…
First, I'd like to thank you for the assistance. I was employed in the industry and it hit hard. I was able to fill out the application with ease.
Again thank you.
I just one question. How may I track the status of the application?
Has anyone actually received…
Has anyone actually received funds? My husband has been a line cook in the industry for over 15 years, and we all know he doesn't make more than $62,000.00. We submitted his application yesterday, with all back up documents and today we received denial with no explanation.
Por favor necesito ayuda…
Por favor necesito ayuda monetaria no tengo dinero para las cuentas y estoy en cuarentena obligatoria
stripe account?
stripe account?
I have been receiving the…
I have been receiving the same error message saying "unable to connect your stripe account" please help!
What if you live in Pierce…
What if you live in Pierce county but work in King County as a server??
How do I open stripe account…
How do I open stripe account and how do I know my routing and account number on it? Please help us.
It’s not letting me check…
It’s not letting me check the status on the dashboard I received the verification link that it was processed but when I attempt to log in it says incorrect email then I did with google same email and it now says there’s no account registered. I think the system crashed please help and thank you.
I just filled my Plate fund…
I just filled my Plate fund form with all my info.
when clicked to submit it. a message prompted " we were unable to connect with your stripe account"
I signed up for a stripe account, and I have no idea what to do from there.
I don't know my stripe…
I don't know my stripe account number.
I don't know what information to give.
I have no idea what to do.
HELP!
How do I know my stripe…
How do I know my stripe routing and account number?
Hello.. My name is Brandi…
Hello.. My name is Brandi Ellis and I applied for the fund...as my job at Einstein brother bagels Westlake has been greatly impacted by covid 19... I Uploaded the wrong document for my pay stub by accident. I have the correct document but it denied me and will not let me re enter? I desperately need the help and was wondering if there's any way to add the correct documentation to my application? I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could contact me in regards to this. Brandiellis11@gmail
Hello. I applied for the…
Hello. I applied for the plate fund. I got an email confirming that I applied. It always says I can check back to see status. Now it just tell me my email isnt valid and redirects to resign up. I'm so confused. I cant access the page. I do have a confirmation from original application. My email. Ladolce_vita7@hotmail.com
Vita Cohen-Brown
Thank you so much!
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Thank you for helping all of…
Thank you for helping all of us during this crisis time.
This so great ?