Alta Calidad Employee Relief Fund
Donation protected
We opened Alta Calidad three years ago with the humble intention of serving delicious, innovative Mexican cuisine in a warm, neighborhood setting. We could never have anticipated what an incredible community this little restaurant would create for us: the loyal guests who have become our dear friends, and the staff who have become our family. Most of our team have been with us since the beginning, pouring their hearts into Alta Calidad day in and day out. The love that we all share for this restaurant is what makes it so special; you can feel it when you walk in the door. Alta Calidad is not only our home, it’s our staff’s home, too. And earlier this week, we had no choice but to let all 23 of them go.
We know that our heartbreak is not unique, and that restaurants throughout the city, across the US, share our pain. But the hardships that each of our employees are enduring right now - the fear of not being able to put food on the table, to pay rent or afford healthcare - are unique to them. We are scrambling to implement a new business model, offer new services, sell new items, do anything that could bring in revenue and allow us to continue to support them, but it's still not enough. We can’t just sit by and watch our family struggle. We need your help.
We are calling on our amazing community to donate, share and help where they can. Every penny counts, and 100% of donations will go directly to our staff. Our top 50 donors will be invited to join us at Agra Calidad, a special one-night-only cocktail party (once we’re able to eliminate “distancing” from our social lives) featuring some of Chef Akhtar’s favorite Indian snacks and family recipes. More details about the party to come later.
Thank you to everyone who’s called, texted, emailed, or come by Alta Calidad recently. Your love and support have kept us going through the sheer madness of these past few weeks, and your generosity will see us through to the finish line. Together, we know we can all come out on top of this. Thank you for being here for us, and for being there for each other. Stay safe, healthy, and compassionate, friends - we will see you again, soon!
We know that our heartbreak is not unique, and that restaurants throughout the city, across the US, share our pain. But the hardships that each of our employees are enduring right now - the fear of not being able to put food on the table, to pay rent or afford healthcare - are unique to them. We are scrambling to implement a new business model, offer new services, sell new items, do anything that could bring in revenue and allow us to continue to support them, but it's still not enough. We can’t just sit by and watch our family struggle. We need your help.
We are calling on our amazing community to donate, share and help where they can. Every penny counts, and 100% of donations will go directly to our staff. Our top 50 donors will be invited to join us at Agra Calidad, a special one-night-only cocktail party (once we’re able to eliminate “distancing” from our social lives) featuring some of Chef Akhtar’s favorite Indian snacks and family recipes. More details about the party to come later.
Thank you to everyone who’s called, texted, emailed, or come by Alta Calidad recently. Your love and support have kept us going through the sheer madness of these past few weeks, and your generosity will see us through to the finish line. Together, we know we can all come out on top of this. Thank you for being here for us, and for being there for each other. Stay safe, healthy, and compassionate, friends - we will see you again, soon!
Organizer
Alexandra Pearson Looney
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
