The coronavirus pandemic has brought the United States (and much of the world) to a halt. Restaurants have closed or are offering only takeout and delivery options, hotel business has slowed dramatically, and bars have been shuttered. As a result, people who rely on hourly wages (including those who rely on tips) are suffering, having seen their daily income all but disappear overnight, and for some already losing their jobs.

Government relief efforts are helpful, and some businesses are continuing to pay their workers for an allotted period of time, but many have been left out in the cold. They need immediate relief to pay for food and other basic needs.

To help them, I’m partnering with two organizations that have long been dedicated to helping those in need: Robin Hood in New York City, which has been providing stability to under-resourced communities across NYC for more than 30 years, and Tipping Point Community, a foundation that began in 2005 with the mission to break the cycle of poverty for people living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tipping Point and Robin Hood have significant experience working with local community organizations that have expertise and experience distributing funds to the community members in need.

Your donation will land directly in the pockets of hourly workers (including those who rely on tips) who have lost income or jobs. Direct financial grants will be provided to hourly workers for their immediate needs.

Your donation is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and 100% (less the standard transaction fee) of it will go directly to workers who need relief. (The operating budgets for Tipping Point Community and Robin Hood are underwritten by their respective boards of directors.)

Your donation distributed between Tipping Point Community and Robin Hood. Tipping Point Community and Robin Hood will distribute the donations to organizations that provide direct cash assistance to workers who are most directly affected.

Initially, relief will support workers who are based in California and New York—two of the hardest-hit states in the country. As more funds come in, we hope to expand the umbrella of support to other states.