This week, Grits & Gravy in Portland closed its doors without warning, leaving its employees without their final paychecks.

Shortly before the closure, we were informed that the restaurant would be shutting down. Soon after, the owner told us that there wasn't enough money to pay our final wages and instructed us to file wage claims with the State of Oregon instead. While we are taking the proper legal steps to recover the money we've already earned, that process can take weeks or even months.

Unfortunately, our bills can't wait.

The timing couldn't be worse. The restaurant closed just as the end of the month approaches, when rent, utilities, groceries, car payments, and other essential expenses are due. Many of us were counting on that final paycheck to make it through the month, and now we're facing an unexpected financial crisis.

Like so many restaurant workers, we live paycheck to paycheck.

Every donation will go directly toward helping the affected employees cover basic living expenses during this difficult time. Funds will be distributed fairly among the staff members who lost their final wages.

If you're unable to donate, sharing this campaign would mean just as much. The more people who see our story, the greater the chance we can get through this together.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for supporting restaurant workers, and for helping us get through an incredibly difficult and unexpected situation. Every contribution, no matter the size, truly makes a difference.