Since the inception of the Eat Out Restaurant Relief Fund on 24 April 2020, we are happy to report that together with our partner Community Chest and the help that we received from South Africa, the Fund successfully raised over R2.7M to support the restaurant industry and communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the end of May, 36 restaurants received payouts ranging between R10,000 and R50,000, depending on the number of meals they were able to produce each day. Just one month later, 50 restaurants were supported and over 500,000 meals had been produced for their local communities in need. Staff were able to come back to work and support their families and some suppliers were being paid again.

“It was a really tough time for all restaurants and heartbreaking to see their desperation during the Covid-19 hard lockdown,” says Tarryn Corlett, Head of the Fund. “However, despite their own suffering, magic transpired when the restaurants opened their hearts and kitchens and started preparing meals for their local communities.”

Sadly, we saw many doors close permanently, but many were able to weather the storm and reopen when the time came. Looking back, so much transpired during the Fund’s journey to support the industry. We heard trying and inspiring stories from restaurant owners and their staff; we appreciated the little things; and we saw the tears, smiles, laughter and hope in the eyes of those who received a warm nourishing meal.

We received donations from individuals and corporates, some of which included: New Media, Graham Beck and Steenberg Vineyards, Retail Capital, Prescient Fund Services, JAN Innovation Studio, Nederburg Wines, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, Nespresso, Woolworths and the 50 Best Recovery Fund.

We auctioned off fantastic items on Facebook donated by Schaffer Blades, Kitchen Aid, Yuppiechef, WÜSTHOF South Africa and Arrow Leather Goods.

CAPREO GmbH and Cape Ardor LCC came onboard and organised campaigns that allowed SA wine lovers aboard to purchase their favourite wines and, in doing so, supported the Fund and helped restaurants put food on the tables of many hungry families all over the country.

By the end of September, 55 restaurants had received support. However, the need continued, and we decided to refund 33 restaurants again so that they could continue with their feeding projects. As a result, over 1 million meals have been produced to date.

We would like to thank our funders, supporters and the public for their generous support.

Together, we helped make a difference during a time when people needed it most. Our support does not end here, though, and we will continue in our efforts to help rebuild the restaurant industry. See everything we’ve been up to in the video below and watch this space for exciting news to come next month!

Images used in the opening of the video and in this article were shot and supplied by Brenton Geach.