Paducah native George Bray recently decided to create Paducah's Tip Jar Restaurant Workers Relief Fund in response to the statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, which is being administered by the Family Service Society, is designed to put cash into the hands of struggling workers who rely on tips for their income.
Bray told the Greg Dunker Show Monday morning that he and his wife Angie decided to set the fund up after getting to know many of Paducah's restaurant staff.
"My wife and I are empty nesters recently, so we began going out to dinner a little more than normal," Bray said." As we did, we got to know a lot of the restaurant workers. When the coronavirus hit we knew that this segment of our workers would be hit the hardest and quickest."
Bray said the fund has recently reached half of its $50,000 goal.
"Our goal is $50,000. Over the weekend we just hit the half-way mark. We're over $25,000 in the fund now, and in addition to the goal of $50,000, we're also hoping that we get 500 different individuals in the community to make a contribution." He said.
Anyone who wants to donate can do so by visiting the fund's GoFundMe page at the link below, or by sending a check to Family Service Society at 827 Joe Clifton Drive, Paducah, KY 42001.
Bray said it's a pretty simple process to apply for aid as well.
"The first thing to do is to call Family Service Society at 270-443-4838 and ask for Candace Malloy. She's the executive director there, and she is organizing the disbursement of funds," He said.
Bray added that the response to the fund has made him proud to live in the Paducah area.
"Paducah is a very giving community. My wife Angie and I have been so impressed with the way the community has reached out and not only given to our fund, but done so many different things for different people. It gives me a lot of pride to be living in this area." He said.
On the Net:
Paducah's Tip Jar GoFundMe
