Here’s Everything a Restaurant Worker Needs to Have Ready in Case of Emergency

I’m the founding director of Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit that provides crisis relief grants and access to no-cost mental health counseling to anyone in the food and beverage industry who meets our qualifications of working six months in the industry at 30 hours a week. 

Crises occur every day including medical emergencies, work closures, natural disasters, and domestic violence situations. Food and beverage workers need to be prepared. Are you? 

Do you know what documents you should always have on hand? Are you clear on how to store them to make sure you can access them at any time from any place? We got you! The documents that Southern Smoke Foundation requests will be very similar to other emergency relief organizations, so consider this your universal list. 

I may know how to break down a whole hog, but like many of those in the hospitality world, I stay away from emails, computers, and office nonsense as much as I can. Our passion lies on the line, and that’s why this crisis toolkit is so important. Here are a few quick tips directly from our case management team at SSF. 

Have your documents online where you can easily find them

Create a Google account if you don’t already have one. Accounts are free and include Gmail and free access to online file storage so you can easily access your essential documents from any device. 

Take time to assemble your paystubs, insurance policies, prescriptions, and more

Learn how to access paystubs, insurance information, and other important documents you should have on hand in the case of a crisis. The team at SSF has created a handy checklist including things you might not think about, like routing and VIN numbers, health diagnoses, lists of valuables, marriage and divorce certificates, and other vital documentation.

Know where to head for help

Familiarize yourself with resources to help you in crisis like the Southern Smoke Foundation does. You can find a ton of programs with free or reduced-cost access to food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more on findhelp.org, searchable by zip code. Food & Wine has a list of mental health and substance use disorder services available at low or no cost.

Whitelist crucial email addresses

This is one that I don’t think about: Always check your spam folder. Most communications about financial assistance applications will be via email, so whitelist the domains of these organizations. 

Take care of your mental health

Logistics aside, maintaining your mental health is one of the best ways to prepare for a crisis. We have our Behind You program in 10 states and Washington, DC, so please consider applying if you’re looking for a therapist. Southern Smoke Foundation provides access to 20 no-cost counseling sessions with training clinicians at accredited graduate-level university programs, guided by licensed supervisors. And if you don’t live in one of our Behind You states, you can apply for funding to use toward mental health services via our emergency relief fund. 

Crises will happen. There are organizations out there like Southern Smoke Foundation that are here for the food and beverage industry. We take care of others all the time. Now it’s time for a different type of prep.