As a restaurant owner, Peter Keith knows the devastation of the Jasper wildfire is hitting hard, for the large number of those who work in the tourism and hospitality industry.
“It is the peak summer season, you know you have folks who moved to Jasper just to work through the summer. So seeing their incomes, their livelihoods disrupted at such an important time is very difficult,” he explained.
He’s now partnered with two other kitchens and Tomato Magazine, to come up with a way to help.
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Noting how hospitality workers are typically in low-paying jobs and financial aid is very important to them.
“Folks who work in restaurants, in bars, in cafes and hospitality in general likely don’t have a lot of savings to live on to get by on. So we know that financial aid is incredibly important,” said Keith.
Scott Downey, the owner of the Betternut Tree, says they are still in the initial stage of the initiative to ensure anyone in the community will able to contribute in any capacity, as well as coordinating with foundations to help Jasper workers.
“We’re gonna work with foundations that is basically gonna be the one who can coordinate with specific groups within Jasper so we can help out individuals within hospitality as well as different organizations tourism companies,” said Downey.
This isn’t the only business looking to help. The Little Brick Cafe and Roasti Coffee are selling a special roast, with proceeds going to help Jasper baristas and cafe workers.
Peter asks community leaders and businesses in the Edmonton area to be part of the initiative by going to their website.