Media
Announcing The 40 Under 40 Honorees for 2021
by PM Staff | Pittsburgh Magazine | August 17, 2021
Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP recognize 40 outstanding individuals under the age of 40 whose creativity, vision and passion enrich the Pittsburgh region. We proudly announce the class of 2021.
Kacy McGill, 28
Co-Director and Co-Founder, Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid
Taylor Stessney, 29
Co-Founder, Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid
In the continuing pandemic, businesses need workers, but are jobs meeting the needs of residents?
by Matt Petras | Public Source | August 12, 2021
Kacy McGill, one of the founders of Greater Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid, was laid off from their work in the restaurant industry at the start of the pandemic. McGill helps connect local restaurant workers to opportunities like food banks and health care and hosts workshops and other programming.
Workers tend to have a complicated relationship with the industry, McGill said.
Mutual aid groups face challenges to continue supporting local workers
by Kimberly Rooney | Pgh City Paper | June 23, 2021
Pittsburgh City Council Approves Spending Plan For $335 Million In Federal COVID Funds
by Chris Hoffman | Pittsburgh CBS Local | July 20, 2021
It’s something echoed by groups like the Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid.
“Our outreach methods need to be focused on transit, members of our community and the folks that are the most vulnerable,” Kacy McGill said.
Pittsburgh Region Sees Economic Growth Compared to Early In The Pandemic, Expected to Accelerate
The Confluence | 90.5 WESA | June 23, 2021
Stessney and Rafanan Kennedy agreed that community members are still seeking and receiving aid despite the winding down of certain programs.
Restaurant and hospitality workers were hit particularly hard during the pandemic, but Stessney says they are concerned about returning to an industry with low wages and inadequate supports.
Both Sides on Paid Sick Leave Speak Up Ahead of Allegheny County Public Hearing
by Nicole Ford | KDKA CBS Pittsburgh | June 18, 2021
The bill is the topic of a public hearing with the Board of Health next week. If passed, workers would accrue at least one hour of paid sick time for every 35 hours of work up to a maximum of 40 sick hours.
“That’s investment in your workers, and if workers are getting that respect back from their ownership. Bosses need to care for their own employees,” Stessney said.
Jobless, but benefit claims still backlogged, PA unemployed voice frustrations
by Bob Mayo | Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 | May 9, 2021
About 100 unemployed people, frustrated by the state backlog in processing their benefit claims, rallied and told their stories outside the governor’s regional office, in downtown Pittsburgh on Thursday.
“Night after night, trying to navigate the system, while my bills are piling up,” said Cornell Brunson, an unemployed senior citizen.
Officials, unemployed Pittsburghers rally against backlog in jobless benefits
by Lauren Rosenblatt | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | May 7, 2021
After applying for unemployment benefits last April, Candace Wilhelm has yet to receive any payments.
A single mother of three daughters, she eventually had to choose between paying her rent or purchasing an iPhone so her kids could participate in online classes and complete their homework. She chose the iPhone.
Restaurants and bars face new hurdle: Struggle to find employees
by Kylie Walker | Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 | April 26, 2021
Fred Lapka is on the advisory board for the Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid. The group released a statement in response to the state restaurant and lodging associations.
“Our group is kind of offended by that,” Lapka said.
A Battle over Fifteen
She worked her way through the hierarchy of the restaurant industry and saw her wages increase while her stress level decreased.
“It just went from ‘Oh, I’m borrowing money from my family to make my bills’ to ‘Oh, I need to make sure I eat every staff meal at work this week before my paycheck comes in,’” Ms. Mednis said. “It became a little less desperate but there was always kind of that feeling that if I made a couple more dollars an hour, I would be better off.”
Help wanted: Restaurants slow to fill open jobs as many have left industry for good
by Dan Gigler | Pittsburgh Post Gazette | April 25, 2021
When it was clear how severe COVID-19 would affect the restaurant industry, Kacy McGill and several others banded together to form Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid, a grassroots organization that provides resources and community support to restaurant and hospitality workers who have lost financial, housing, food and health care security.
WTAE Channel 4 presents Chronicle: On The Unemployment Line
by Pittsburgh’s Action New | April 9, 2021
One year unemployed. It’s a reality for thousands of Pittsburghers. Chronicle: One The Unemployment Line brings viewers into the struggles, perseverance and hope of the people on the unemployment line, one year into the pandemic.
What will looser restrictions mean for Pennsylvania bars and restaurants and their staff?
by Bill O’Driscoll | WESA | April 2, 2021
It happens, said Kyle Lucas, at least once a week. The server and bartender at Fireside Public House, in East Liberty, will ask an unmasked patron to mask up. And then the patron will yell at Lucas.
“It happens to co-workers all the time,” he said.
Restaurant workers advocacy group expresses concern over vaccine access ahead of relaxed restrictions
by Kylie Walker | Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 | April 1, 2021
A group advocating for restaurant workers in Pittsburgh expressed concern over access to the COVID-19 vaccine and called out the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid released a statement on Wednesday after learning those in the industry remain in priority group 1C, eligible to get the vaccine on April 12.
In Pittsburgh, a push to prioritize restaurant, hospitality workers for covid vaccines
by Tom Davidson | Trib LIVE | March 23, 2021
Pittsburgh City Council members are calling on the state Health Department to add restaurant, service, and hospitality workers to the prioritized group that receiving the covid-19 vaccines.
Restaurant industry weighs in on vaccine phase despite capacity changes
by Pittsburgh Action News 4 | March 20, 2021
In just over two weeks, a new set of restrictions will be eased in Pennsylvania, including increasing indoor capacity at restaurants.
But when it comes to vaccine eligibility, the food industry is still classified as Phase 1C.
Pittsburgh service group wants restaurant workers prioritized for COVID vaccine
by Colleen Hammond | Pittsburgh City Paper | March 19, 2021
Earlier this week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvania’s restaurants can raise their indoor capacity from 50% to 75% starting on April 4.
However, a group providing service and support to Pittsburgh restaurant, service, and hospitality workers is concerned that employees who work in those restaurants and indoors spaces won’t receive the vaccine by April 4, and are calling for those workers to be added to the state’s vaccine priority list.
Risky work: Hospitality employees say they should be prioritized for vaccines
by Dan Gigler | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | March 18, 2021
Having worked through a year of pandemic conditions, Amanda Schaffner thinks her industry colleagues deserve a round of shots as thanks - and not Patron or Maker’s Mark, but rather Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson.
In fact, she said, it’s way beyond time.
Money being raised to help struggling nightlife industry workers
by Lori Houry | WPXI-TV | March 17, 2021
Help is on the way for people who work in the nightlife industry.
In conjunction with the 1-year anniversary of COVID-19 shutdowns, an online fundraiser has been launched to raise funds for hospitality, entertainment, service and related workers in Allegheny County.
New Fundraiser Aims to Aid Pittsburgh’s Nightlife Workers
by Bill O’Driscoll | 90.5 WESA | March 17, 2021
A year ago, the pandemic shutdown of live-performance venues, and the halting of dine-in service at bars and restaurants, was followed immediately by crowd-funded efforts to support folks such public-health measures had cost work.
For many in the nightlife and hospitality industries, unemployment and other forms of government relief kicked in, too.
New fund started to raise money for Pittsburgh’s service and entertainment industry
by Hannah Lynn | Pittsburgh CityPaper | March 15, 2021
Most people in Pittsburgh haven’t been to a concert in at least a year. Many haven’t dined at a restaurants or seen a play, or grabbed a drink at a bar. The pandemic shutdown has left many businesses in the entertainment and dining industries has left many businesses in the entertainment and dining industries closed or limited, which also leaves workers in those industries struggling to make ends meet.
‘Answer The Phone!’ Unemployed Rally For More State Assistance
by Kate Giammarise | WESA FM | March 10, 2021
Carrying signs reading, “Answer the Unemployed!” and “Answer the phone,” dozens of unemployed workers and their supporters rallied downtown Wednesday morning outside of Gov. Tom Wolf’s regional office, calling for improvements to Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation system.
Read more
Pa. is hiring 500 staffers to answer unemployment calls. Activists want that number to double
by Lauren Rosenblatt | Pittsburgh Post Gazette | March 10, 2021
On the same day Pennsylvania announced plans to hire at least 500 new staffers for the state’s unemployment centers, a group of activists gathered in Downtown to say that wasn’t enough.
Five hundred was a good start, they said, but more would be needed.
Pa. Officials Hiring 500 Employees To Answer Unemployment Compensation Calls
by Jessica Guay | KDKA/Yahoo! News | March 10th, 2021
The Department of Labor and Industry is hiring hundreds of new customer service representatives to help with unemployment calls.
Pittsburgh Group Helps Restaurant Workers Navigate Unemployment During Pandemic
by Amy Wadas | KDKA CBS Pittsburgh | January 27th, 2021
Restaurant workers have been struggling since the pandemic began last March. So many of them are relying on unemployment as they wait to go back to work. However, the system hasn’t been smooth. The local group Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid is doing what it can to help.
Advocacy groups plan watch party for state’s hearing on unemployment benefits following large public interest
by Nate Doughty | Pittsburgh Business Times | January 27, 2021
Following an increased public interest in the topic, local advocacy groups said they will be hosting a virtual watch party of the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee hearing about the commonwealth’s unemployment benefits at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 27
Pennsylvania restaurant 2021 challenges: Travel limits, Grubhub charges & financial burdens
by Neil Strebig | York Daily Record | January 14, 2021
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
How restaurant workers have stepped in to help others and their peers during the pandemic
by Oliver Morrison | Public Source | April 20, 2020
Another group of restaurant workers distributed food to laid-off restaurant workers from the Bloomfield porch of Kacy McGill, who was laid off by The Abbey. The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, a local art gallery in the neighborhood, recently donated space to expand the collection.
With New State Restrictions, Restaurant Workers Say They Need Federal Support
by Kevin Gavin, Marylee Williams, & Laura Tsutsui | 90.5 WESA | December 14, 2020
Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest round of restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus went into effect this weekend. Restaurant are limited to take-out service or outdoor dining.
How You Can Help Pittsburgh Restaurants
by Hal B. Klein | Pittsburgh Magazine | December 16, 2020
Seven ways to help Pittsburgh’s restaurants and people who work in them make it through the winter
With Unemployment Aid Set To Run Out, ‘I Have No Idea How I’m Going To Pay My Bills’
by Kate Giammarise | WESA FM | December 18, 2020
Pittsburgh Criseena Johnson is one of millions of people who will lose her unemployment benefits in a matter of days, without Congressional action. Johnson, a single mother who worked for more than 15 years in the restaurant industry, has been out of a job since March.
Food giveaways fuel the holidays for many this year — Pittsburgh: In Focus
by PG Visuals Staff | Pittsburgh Post Gazette | December 2020
Kacy McGill prepares food for delivery at Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid in Point Breeze Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The organization provides resources and community support for hospitality workers dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
For Restaurants, ‘The Employment Situation Is Catastrophic’
by Kate Gimmarise | 90.5 WESA FM | December 9, 2020
Drive by the pandemic and related restrictions, and public health concerns, employment in Pittsburgh’s restaurant industry has declined by more than 31,000 workers compared to this time last year, according to research last week.
Updated: Allegheny Eats, a meal kit service, launches to help restaurant workers, farmers and producers
by Kristy Locklin | Next Pittsburgh | January 8, 2021
Your next takeout order can help local restaurants, restaurant workers, farmers and producers impacted by the Covid crisis. Allegheny Eats, a meal kit service for at-home dining, launched last month and includes free grub for restaurant workers.
How Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Count on Each Other
by Hal B. Klein | Pittsburgh Magazine | November 11, 2020
To that end, a community that typically leans outward to offer a delightful diversion to others is pulling together to help one another.
Service industry workers make plea for federal relief
by Mick Stinelli | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | November 25, 2020
Service industry workers appeared alongside state legislators on Wednesday to make a plea for direct financial relief as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend the industry and a federal stimulus remains stalled.
Biggies Bullies and Petagogy provide pet supplies to restaurant and hospitality workers affected by COVID-19
by Amanda Waltz | Pittsburgh City Paper | April 10, 2020
People out of work or underemployed due to the COVID-19 shutdown are now struggling to feed themselves and their families, with lines of cars being reported at food distribution events and banks in the region. In the midst of all this chaos, furry family members can sometimes be forgotten.
Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid keeps food on workers’ table
by Charlie Taylor | Pitt News | February 17, 2021
What started as a Facebook group and a small operation on McGill’s front porch now helps hundreds of workers and their families every week.
Allegheny County restaurant workers create emergency fund in response to coronavirus layoffs
by Kylie Walker | Action News 4 | March 19, 2020
“We’ve all applied for unemployment now, but that first check doesn’t come for four weeks and our pay ended Monday effectively,’ Said Paul Gibson, a member of Greater Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Mutual Aid
PA’s restaurant and hospitality workers brace for woeful winter
by Brian Myszkowski & Neil Strebig | Pocono Record | December 21, 2020
Since its inception in April the group has helped deliver care packages and meals to over 1,500 households throughout Allegheny County - all for hospitality workers in need or out of work. The group continues to deliver approximately 100 care package weekly.
Hospitality industry suffering: Pittsburgh music promoter says industry was among first to close, will be one of the last to open
by Marcie Cipriani | Pittsburgh’s Action 4 News | November 25, 2020
Promoters and owners of local concert venues and restaurants in the Pittsburgh area called on the legislature to help them survive, while a local representative called them out for choosing not to.
COVID-19 in Pittsburgh: Businesses Fighting To Survive Concerned Over Lack Of Funding Options
by Nicole Ford | KDKA CBS Pittsburgh| November 25, 2020
It’s a plea for help from restaurant and entertainment workers. For many businesses, federal loan help is running out while more restrictions are being put in place.
Pittsburgh politicians, industry workers implore state legislature to aid the decimated service industry
by Hannah Lynn | Pittsburgh City Paper | November 25, 2020
“Right now, we feel like we’ve been left to ourselves,” said McGill. “We need political courage from our elected officials, because right now, we feel like we have two options — stay home and die, or go to work, and die.”
Food pantries have adjusted to increased need, but they anticipate a surge
by Diana Nelson Jones | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | November 23, 2020
Even though a number of people were called back to work when the lockdown was lifted, she said, “many are underemployed” because of reduced hours and tips.
Pittsburgh Builds Virtual Communities To Help The Service Industry
by Hal B. Klein | Pittsburgh Magazine | March 21, 2020
The Facebook group serves as an outlet for people looking for mutual aid. Those experiencing a shortage of food or home goods such as diapers and toilet paper can reach out to let people know what they need.
412 Food Rescue launches Community Takeout to pair restaurant meals with those in need
by Michael Machosky | Next Pittsburgh | May 11, 2020
412 Food Rescue is launching Community Takeout, which will provide funds to local restaurants to prepare 1,500 meals per week to help people who are facing hunger.
Local restaurants to receive support from a new program by 412 Food Rescue
by Nate Doughty | Pittsburgh Business Times | May 12, 2020
For every meal produced, $6 will go directly to the restaurant, $2 will go toward covering logistics and transportation and an additional $2 will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Mutual Aid fund…
