From the earliest days of COVID-19 response, Americans have worried about how certain industries would fare amid shutdowns and economy dips. Unless you’ve been lucky enough to work from home the entire time, it’s likely your industry has been affected in one way or another; we’ve covered stories about the tough position teachers have been put in, for example, as well as gig workers, like drivers and delivery people, as well as healthcare professionals on the brink of burnout. We also know that folks who work in the hospitality industry, including food and drink service, have seen unemployment since early into the pandemic in March. As small businesses and chains alike have shuttered locations, many workers have taken a hit in income—or wrestle with the possibility of potentially becoming seriously ill at every shift.
Celebrity chef David Chang, perhaps most known for his iconic restaurant Momofuku, as well as the Netflix series Ugly Delicious, paid it forward to service workers with a whopping one million dollar donation to the Southern Smoke Foundation, a crisis relief resource for restaurant workers. Where did he come up with the million? By winning the iconic game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.
Chang celebrated on Twitter and announced the lucky organization that will receive his winnings.
He also (appropriately) zinged our government for not doing enough to support people out of work amid a literal global pandemic.
Southern Smoke also took to Twitter to celebrate.
Without a doubt, this is a heartwarming bit of good news and true generosity on Chang’s part. As we approach the holiday season, however, it’s especially important to keep in mind how many small business owners and workers have been struggling to survive amid closures and lack of government support. Whether you turn to takeout from your favorite local spot for holiday meals, buy gift cards for this year’s gift exchange, or donate to your local food pantry, try to give what you can to support workers who have been essentially forgotten by the Trump administration. Especially businesses owned by people of color, as, for example, more than half of Black-owned businesses may not make it through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation can be even more concerning for Black women.