Help a Fellow Austin Dame

Hi y’all, this is Anna Tauzin, President of the Austin Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. One of our members is in desperate need of financial assistance. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, she wishes to remain anonymous. The situation has been verified by a couple of members, however.

In three days' time, the Dame will be evicted from her home if she's not able to pay back rent in the amount of a little over $5,000. She didn't get in this bind from being careless with her money. She was hit with needing major repairs in her shop where she's only been a tenant for 3 months prior. First, it was the water heater; then the condenser on the display case went out; and finally, the AC unit died during the height of our Texas summer, leaving her unit over 100 degrees inside. As a result, she lost her food license until the repairs were made.

For 6 months, this Dame could not earn a living which resulted in her getting behind on her rent. She saved every penny possible to get all the repairs done and has recently gotten her license reinstated so she can get back to work. But none of this was in time to stop the eviction process from her home. Unless she pays the past due amount in full, she will be forced out by this coming Wednesday.

This situation has inspired conversations around setting up an emergency fund for members. We will look into that in early 2024.

To face this issue, especially during the holidays, is awful. If you have the capacity to offer a donation, I know she would be incredibly grateful. If we can get 100 Dames to give $50 each, we can get there. I know not everyone can do that, but whatever help you can offer would be amazing.

Please consider listing your name with your donation, so our Dame can thank you personally in the future if she chooses. Thank you!