Culinaria’s Restaurant Weeks has been expanded to a month-long campaign. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.
This week, Culinaria announced the expansion of Restaurant Weeks to Restaurant Month, August 1-31. More than any other industry, restaurants have suffered the most significant sales and job losses since the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially the HospitALLity House focused on short-term needs by ensuring furloughed workers received a hot meal. Now, the HospitALLity Fund is a crucial part of Culinaria’s Emergency Relief efforts helping restaurants on the financial brink by assisting them in covering operating costs. (Culinaria, 2020)
Participating restaurants have $20 lunch, $45 dinner, three-course prix-fixe menus for dine-in or to go, and most also offer bar beverages for take-out. All businesses have implemented and are enforcing COVID compliant procedures and protocols for sanitizing and service. Reservations are required. A complete list of participating restaurants and information on how to donate to the HospitALLity Fund is available online. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization with a volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries.
“The mission of Culinaria has always been to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination, and, to support the restaurant and hospitality community when they need us in times of financial hardship or family emergencies, as they have been there for the community in times of hardship – natural disasters, flood and hurricane relief. So, we ask the community to give what you can to help restaurant owners keep their establishments operational. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president and CEO, Culinaria
The San Antonio Food Bank’s Day of Service is set for Tuesday, June 9. Photo: google
The San Antonio Food Bank announces a Day of Service this Tuesday, June 9 to honor George Floyd. The food bank will open up extra volunteer opportunities, including a mobile pop-up distribution at Trader’s Village, to make room for all those who might want to join the food bank in this day of service and love. Anyone interested may sign up online. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)
“I am calling our community to join me in a day of service on Tuesday, June 9, to honor the life of George Floyd. Knowing that so many want to do a physical act of love that honors Mr. Floyd’s life, I am inviting our community to join me in serving those in need in our community on the day his family will hold their private funeral service.” – Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank
The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.
Team Rubicon COVID-19 relief. Photo: Trang Lee, used with permission.
On April 2, Garrison Brothers Distillery launched Operation Crush COVID-19, a fundraising campaign to help American communities recover and rebuild from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. One way Garrison Brothers was able to raise these funds was by pivoting the forthcoming release of an eight-year-old, top-shelf bourbon called Laguna Madre and gifting it to donors who contributed $1,000 or more to the cause. Since then, the initiative has raised over $200,000 and has an ultimate goal of $2 million. Veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon received $100,000 from the philanthropic effort and Garrison Brothers recently announced three more groups as beneficiaries, including 53 individual bartenders, Southern Smoke Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund and The Texas Restaurant Education Association’s TX Restaurant Relief Fund. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2020)
Two Texas hospitality nonprofit organizations each received $23,500 from Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, Garrison Brothers Distillery’s 501(c)3 public charity. Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation allocated the donation to their Emergency Relief Fund, providing assistance to individuals in need in the food and beverage industry.
Nonprofit organizations were not the sole beneficiaries of funds raised via Operation Crush COVID-19. Bartenders who participated in The Bourbon Take Over of Texas each received $1,000 as well. The Bourbon Takeover of Texas is Garrison Brothers Distillery’s annual mixology event, which pre-qualifies bartenders to compete in a statewide bartender competition, The Garrison Brothers Bourbon Brawl. The competition was originally supposed to take place from March 26 through May 7 but has been tentatively rescheduled to October.
Garrison Brothers Distillery plans to continue their fundraising efforts until their goal of $2 million is met. Anyone interested in making a contribution to the fundraising efforts can do so online. Contributors of $1,000 or more will receive a bottle of Laguna Madre, an eight-year-old, top-shelf Garrison Brothers.
“This crisis has once again shown how our industry and our customers band together to support each other. Restaurants are the core of our communities, and the generosity of individuals and organizations like Garrison Brothers who rally them are helping to ensure that they survive this challenging time. On behalf of those independent restaurateurs and their employees who will benefit from these funds via the TX Restaurant Relief Fund, thank you!” – Dr. Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association.
Animal Adoption Advocate Ben Yanto will be one of the presenters at PechaKucha San Antonio Volume 38. Photo: Josh Huskin, used with permission.
PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series that hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format, is excited to announce the lineup for its Volume 38 edition, scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2020, live streamed on PechaKucha San Antonio’s Youtube and Facebook. The night begins with presentations starting at 7p.m. This will be PechaKucha San Antonio’s first online event to practice safe social distancing during these uncertain times. (PechaKucha, 2020)
Vol. 38 will feature a talented group of locals. The six presenters include:
Emcee for the evening will be local singer-songwriter Garrett T. Capps. This event will be completely free and donations are encouraged to help support the San Antonio Food Bank and fund PechaKucha San Antonio. Donations will be split equally between the San Antonio Food Bank and PechaKucha San Antonio. Everyone who donates will be entered to win a curated gift basket that will be raffled off at the end of the event. The gift basket will include local goodies like a gift card to Bakery Lorraine, Tio Pelon’s Salsita salsa, Olla Express Coffee and more. PechaKucha San Antonio is presented in partnership with the Las Casas Foundation.
PechaKucha San Antonio would not be possible without the support of annual sponsors, including Lake Flato Architects, Centro Properties, Zurich International Properties, RYNO General Contractors, San Antonio Food Bank, Schroeder Art, Gary and Janet Sweeney and Southwest School of Art.
In-Kind sponsors for the event include Giles Design Bureau, Giant Noise, Josh Huskin Photography, The San Antonio Current, The Rivard Report, Sprocket Media Hub, Olla Express Café, Bakery Lorraine and Tio Pelon’s Salsita.
PechaKucha is a 20 image x 20 second arts and cultures series. Each presenter gets exactly 20 images, and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds (for a total time of 6:40). San Antonio’s first quarterly PechaKucha Night took place on February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees to venues throughout San Antonio. It showcases a broad range of individuals, including architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders and more. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is an event format developed by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture to encourage creative professionals to share projects and ideas that they are passionate about. Since it began in 2003, PechaKucha has expanded to more than 1200 cities around the world.
Mary Flores and her son Tommy. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
As a mother of an individual with Down Syndrome, Mary Flores understands the challenges that similar families, and the non-profit organization they rely on, are facing during the COVID-pandemic. Many group homes and non-profits have seen a reduction in donations and find it challenging to shop for groceries with restrictions on quantity. (Cook With Michael, 2020)
As a result, Mary Flores is donating 2,000 pounds (one ton) of produce that will benefit the clients, staff and group homes of the following recipients:
Autism Treatment Center
Down Syndrome Association of South Texas
Morgan’s Wonderland
Reaching Maximum Independence (RMI)
This will feed approximately 4,000 individuals. Monetary and in-kind donations of personal care and household items are especially appreciated. Please donate directly to the organization of choice.
“Individuals with Down Syndrome and Autism don’t understand the concept of ‘shelter in place’ or adapt well to quarantine, as their daily program and therapy is based on consistency and routine. Also, a large majority rely on day programs and group homes for therapy and meals.” – Mary Flores
Home Is Where the Art Is! coloring pages are available online. Photo: google
During these times, we have seen Texas’ heart through the kindness and support being offered by neighbors and organizations. We have also seen the power of the arts magnified as an emotional salve, a universal language, a reflection of current events, a form of expression, a unifying force and a symbol of hope. In response, the Texas Cultural Trust invited Texas artists, luminaries and organizations to create coloring pages for Home Is Where the Art Is!, an online collection of coloring sheets for people of all ages. (Texas Cultural Trust, 2020)
These coloring pages are available to download for free on the Texas Cultural Trust website. Everyone is encouraged to share their finished work of art via social media by tagging the color page artist and Texas Cultural Trust using the hashtags #ArtCanTexas and #HomeiswheretheARTis. Help the Trust highlight the creativity and compassion that we have seen during this pandemic and most of all have fun coloring.
The Trust plans to publish a coloring book of all the page submissions to raise funds to help the arts and culture sectors recover and rebuild post-COVID-19. Access to art and culture will continue to be essential as we heal, recover and rebuild our local and global communities.
Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.
This Sunday May 10, take a drive around the Circuit of the Americas race track for a good cause. Photo: google
On Sunday, May 10 from 12p.m. to 5p.m. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) will be collecting donations for Central Texas Food Bank and allowing guests a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to take a drive on the world-famous 3.4 mile track. This will be a parade of unity, hope and fun for the Central Texas community. Join friends and neighbors safely from inside your vehicle as you ascend the iconic “Turn 1” hill, weave through the challenging “esses” at Turn 3 and 4 and cruise down the same back stretch as the greatest Formula 1 have done. Donations are recommended, but not required to participate. This is an experience as unique as Austin. (Circuit of the Americas, 2020)
Germania Insurance will match up to $10,000 of donations and COTA and Austin Bold FC will match Germania’s donation to $10,000. Donations can also be done online. Please keep in mind that $1.00 can produce up to four meals. If you choose to donate cash or non-perishable items, “touchless” locations will be available for self-drop-off in the COTA garages.
Circuit of The Americas
9201 Circuit of The Americas Blvd
Austin, TX 78617
Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, is the only purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for all classes of racing. The 3.4-mile racetrack hosts the world’s most prestigious sporting events, including Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, INDYCAR Classic, as well as world-renowned concerts, music festivals, and opportunities for track rentals. The 1,500-acre campus is also home to the award-winning Austin360 Amphitheater, driving experiences including COTA Karting, open-wheel Formula America and the Audi Driving Experience, expansive meeting and hospitality spaces and an iconic 25-story observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the circuit, amphitheater and downtown Austin.
William Chris Vineyard’s new Texas Red Blend. Photo: Madison Boudreaux, used with permission.
Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, co-owners of William Chris Vineyards, recently announced the launch of the Wanderer Series Relief Project, featuring a new wine benefitting the Texas hospitality industry created in collaboration with Master Sommelier Craig Collins. The red blend features 95% Cinsault and 5% Mourvedre from the Texas High Plains and is now available online, as well as from the following retailers in select locations: H-E-B, Kroger, Twin Liquors, Whole Foods Market and several independent bottle shops throughout Texas. This wine, priced at $20, was created with a mission of supporting the incredible group of chefs, servers, sommeliers and bartenders that make up the Texas restaurant community, which has been critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All profits from the sales of this wine will go to the Southern Smoke Foundation with the goal of helping this group get back to doing what they love. (William Chris Vineyards, 2020)
Another remarkable aspect of the project is the abundance of generosity put forward by the industry partners involved. This project would not be possible without the support of Victory Wine Group, who is handling distribution of the wine; design shop Canales & Co. out of Austin, who created the label design; and Fortis Solutions Group, Berlin Glass, Lafitte Cork & Capsule, G3 and Oeneo-DIAM, who all generously donated the respective bottling materials for this project.
In addition to the release of the Wanderer Series Relief Project, WCV is finding every opportunity to keep their staff of 64 busy while the tasting room is closed. This has resulted in several new ways for fans to stay engaged with the William Chris experience and team; from weekly virtual tastings and daily online happy hours on Facebook, to curbside pick-up on site at the winery. By supporting WCV during this time, fans can help ensure that the company will be stable and ready for the brighter days ahead. #WCVSTRONG.
“Our industry, our country, and our world is hurting right now, emotionally, physically, and financially. As a company, we’re fighting to stay afloat, and our brothers and sisters in the restaurant space have been some of the hardest hit…. Buying a bottle of this wine for yourself and maybe a couple more for friends and family is a great way to give back to folks who desperately need our help, while enjoying some delicious 100% Texas-grown wine.” – Chris Brundrett
Rio Jade: The New Taste of Texas is Lone Star Beer’s new Mexican-style lager. Photo: Lone Star Beer, used with permission.
Lone Star Beer announces the latest line in the beloved family of Lone Star Beers: Rio Jade. Rio Jade: The New Taste of Texas, is a Mexican-style lager inspired by the appreciation for Texas’ diverse lands and waterways. The beer will be available throughout Texas starting in late April, with full distribution in May, for a limited time until the end of summer. In light of current events, to assist those who have supported its beer for generations, Lone Star is also launching a goodwill initiative called Keep The Lights On Y’all to help support members of the bar and restaurant community during these uncertain times. (Lone Star Beer, 2020)
Lone Star’s first seasonal beer will inspire all drinking-age generations to be proud of what Texas represents. Like the ever-flowing waters of Texas, Lone Star Beer is here to ensure no one goes thirsty. The new beer, which translates to “River Jade,” was inspired by the love of the land of Texas and the color and design is reflective of the natural beauty found in the waters of Texas and Mexico. From natural pools, to running rivers, everyone can find their oasis in Texas with a Rio Jade in hand.
With an ABV of 4.5%, this crisp, Mexican-style lager is locally brewed in the Hill Country of Austin with the finest ingredients Texas has to offer, including award-winning malt from Blacklands Malt, the first malt house to use Texas-grown barley. The beer has a unique-to-Texas flavor that provides a crisp and refreshing taste with characteristic sweetness of flaked maize balanced with spicy, floral and citrus notes from the hops. Rio Jade pairs perfectly with floating the river, sunbathing at a favorite swimming hole, or watching the sunset from your backyard to practice “social distancing” at this time.
Served in bold turquoise cans, Rio Jade is the first beer label designed by Burnt Nopal Creative Director and Texas-based artist Cruz Ortiz. Rio Jade will be available throughout Texas, with six-packs available at a suggested retail price of $7.99. Beer lovers can use Lone Star’s beer finder to find a store selling nearest to them. Rio Jade will also be available for delivery with Drizly. Lone Star encourages everyone to enjoy the new lager at home during this time.
As a response to the COVID-19 crisis effect on members of the service industry, Lone Star is launching the Keep The Lights On Y’all initiative. With the help of the team at popular Texas Humor, Lone Star has created an exclusive T-shirt inspired by the classic neon lights that grace fine establishments throughout the state as a call to action for Texans to support local bars and restaurants. The shirt serves as a reminder to all Texans to show support and help out those in the service industry while their doors are temporarily closed. One-hundred percent of the profits from the new merchandise will benefit Southern Smoke, a Texas-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the food and beverage community and their suppliers—championed by Houston Chef Chris Shepherd. Keep The Lights On Y’all initiative t-shirts are available online for $25 each.
Lone Star Brewing Co., the makers of Lone Star Beer “The National Beer of Texas” and Lone Star Texas Light Beer, have been proudly brewing beer in Texas since 1884. Since its founding, Lone Star has partnered with local communities throughout the state, supporting Texas-specific charities and organizations. Lone Star Brewing Co. is owned by Pabst Brewing Company, one of the largest independently owned American brewing companies.
“We’re excited to launch the Rio Jade Mexican Style Lager as it gives us a chance to honor our heritage, but also celebrate the Texas of today. The beer perfectly represents what we value at Lone Star – connecting to the land and people of Texas, providing new and refreshing ways to enjoy our great state, and above all else, making delicious tasting beer for Texans everywhere.” – Lone Star Brand Director, Emily Hoyle
Bank of America recently announced their $100 million contribution to support communities around the world during this time of need. As part of this effort, the bank is working with organizations that are going above and beyond to provide assistance in San Antonio to serve our most vulnerable populations amidst the coronavirus crisis. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)
In total, the bank is supporting local nonprofits in San Antonio with $375,000. Of this, $200,000 is going to the San Antonio Food Bank to address food insecurity – an urgent need in the community. In addition to food insecurity, the nonprofits the bank is supporting are focused on homelessness, emergency childcare services and child abuse and neglect.
The six local nonprofits receiving support from Bank of America include the San Antonio Food Bank, Haven for Hope, SA Hope Center, Soldiers’ Angels, ChildSafe and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.
The San Antonio Food Bank supports 16 counties in the San Antonio area and a total population of 2.5 million. Historically, the Food Bank serves approximately 60,000 families per week, but demand has recently doubled. This contribution from Bank of America will help the Food Bank purchase food and supplies needed to provide to families.
Haven for Hope is a 22-acre facility providing emergency shelter and transformational services and resources to individuals, families and children experiencing homelessness. The organization will utilize these funds to compensate staff overtime and temp workers, purchase additional critical supplies such as food, sleeping mats and activities for children and increase cleaning and janitorial services during the coronavirus pandemic.
SA Hope Center is a resource center empowering individuals and families in crisis to become sustainable through holistic individualized services, accountability and grace. Bank of America’s support will go directly towards providing food services to the most vulnerable population served by SA Hope Center. The food service center historically services an average of 100 families per week and is currently serving 1,100 families, or over 3,300 people, per week given an increase in demand.
Soldiers’ Angels provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families and a growing veteran population. Bank of America’s support will help Soldiers’ Angels provide box lunches and mobile food pantries for military families and veterans during this coronavirus pandemic. The organization saw a 40% increase in food requests in March and anticipates this will continue to be the case, if not higher, in April and May.
ChildSafe provides expert care and specialized services to children and adolescents who have been traumatized by abuse, neglect or sexual abuse. The organization has found that child abuse spikes during times of uncertainty and high stress, when financial burdens, interruptions of childcare and school, take its toll on families. With the City of San Antonio’s shelter-in-place order, cases of child abuse in March increased by 18% compared to the same period the year before. ChildSafe will utilize these funds to continue to provide wraparound services to handle the influx of cases they are seeing locally.
The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County has established a COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help address the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Bank of America’s support will go directly to United Way’s Emergency Childcare Assistance program, which provides childcare for essential workers.
“At Bank of America, supporting our communities and responding to some of the biggest challenges we face in Bexar County is what we do. Many of our local residents and businesses, like others around the world, are hurting during the coronavirus crisis, and by working with leading local nonprofits, we are able to deploy critical resources to immediately address some of their most pressing, basic needs.” – Jessica Miller, Bank of America San Antonio Market President.
SA Examiner 