CORE launches Serving Up Hope campaign for restaurant families in crisis

CORE has launched its 2026 Serving Up Hope campaign, running Sept. 1-Oct. 31, to raise money for food and beverage workers facing illness, disasters and other emergencies. The effort brings together restaurants, beverage brands and hospitality partners nationwide to fund direct grants for families covering essentials like housing, utilities and groceries.

Why it matters: - The campaign is designed to build a financial safety net for food and beverage workers and their families when crises hit. - Donations help cover basic needs including housing, utilities, groceries and transportation. - CORE says the funding can reduce the burden on families facing health emergencies, natural disasters and other sudden hardships.

What happened: - CORE, a national nonprofit supporting restaurant employees and their families, launched its 2026 Serving Up Hope campaign on Sept. 1. - The campaign runs through Oct. 31 and pulls in restaurant, beverage and hospitality partners across the U.S. - The public can donate to support restaurant families in need through CORE's donation site.

The details: - Serving Up Hope raises money through special menu items, point-of-sale round-up donations, in-restaurant events and corporate partnerships. - Every dollar raised goes to direct financial grants for food and beverage employees and their families. - CORE has organized participating brands into three support tiers: Heroes of Hope, Champions of Hope and Beacons of Hope. - Heroes of Hope participants include Cromwell Media, Custom Culinary, Guest Counts Hospitality and Din Tai Fung. - Champions of Hope participants include Areas, Boston Beer Company, Cleveland Menu, Cuisine Solutions, FSR Magazine, Heineken, IMI Agency, Kerry, Marriott, Nation’s Restaurant News, Ole Smoky Distillery, QSR Magazine, Questex, Restaurant Leadership Conference, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery Estates, Terlato Wines and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. - Beacons of Hope participants include Alliance HCM, Goo Goo Cluster and Sysco. - CORE says it has awarded direct financial grants to thousands of families facing health crises, natural disasters and other unexpected hardships.

Between the lines: - The campaign is also a visible industry solidarity effort, not just a fundraiser. - CORE is using both consumer-facing promotions and corporate sponsorships to widen the funding base. - The mix of restaurant chains, media brands, suppliers and alcohol companies suggests broad industry participation.

What's next: - CORE will continue the campaign through Oct. 31. - Additional donations and partner activations are expected during the fundraising window. - CORE is encouraging restaurant guests, industry professionals and the public to contribute before the campaign ends.

The bottom line: - Serving Up Hope is CORE's annual push to turn industry support into immediate relief for restaurant families in crisis.