Brooks Werner said when it comes to service industry workers, he’s one of the lucky ones.
Werner bartends at the Churchill in downtown Phoenix. The venue’s owners prepared for the pandemic, and have been able to provide pay even while the bar is closed, he said.
“I'm one of the lucky ones who got a little bit of money each week for the last month, and with the (Paycheck Protection Program) coming through, I'll be fine for the next six weeks to two months,” he said.
Werner said he’s using that peace of mind to help out other bar and restaurant workers.
“What a lot of people don't realize is their paychecks are typically zero dollars if not less than $50 because of how the tip out works, and so paychecks really don't mean stuff,” Werner said. “So for people not to have shifts ... a lot of people live shift-to-shift in this business, especially if you're in the front of house and you accept tips.”
Werner said he hopes to raise $10,000, which will be spent on groceries and other supplies to distribute at the Crown Public House this weekend.
Service industry workers can sign up to attend the giveaway on Facebook.
