ON NATIONAL FOOD SERVICE WORKER DAY, GIVING KITCHEN CELEBRATES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE INDUSTRY -- AND THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE

ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On National Food Service Worker Day, September 25, Giving Kitchen is celebrating the 15.7 million people who make food service possible — and reaffirming its commitment to ensuring those workers have somewhere to turn when life gets hard.

Food service is the second-largest industry in the country, and its workers show up every day to care for others, create community and keep restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops and kitchens running. But behind that work are people navigating financial hardship, food insecurity, isolation, illness, injury and mental health struggles. Research shows high stress and emotional exhaustion across the industry, along with elevated rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.  Nearly 4 in 10 food and beverage workers report experiencing isolation at work.

During Hunger Action Month, Giving Kitchen is also spotlighting another reality facing the people who feed us: food insecurity. Research shows three in five restaurant workers experience food insecurity; over 70% of Giving Kitchen clients say financial assistance prevented them from skipping meals to save money.

"Food service workers spend their days taking care of everyone else. They deserve to be cared for, too," said Dr. Allison Padilla-Goodman, CEO of Giving Kitchen. "National Food Service  Worker Day is an opportunity to say thank you, but gratitude alone isn't enough. We want food service workers to know that their work has dignity, that they are seen and valued, and that when they're facing a crisis, they have somewhere to turn."

That commitment is at the heart of Giving Kitchen's Stability Network, a national initiative connecting food service workers and employers with resources to build stronger, supportive workplaces - bringing mental health support, crisis resources and connection directly into their workplaces.

"Stability isn't just about getting through a crisis," said Padilla-Goodman. "It's about rooting people in community and making sure food service workers know that they are not alone.  We're proud to support the second-largest industry in the country by investing in the people who make it possible."

One key part of that work is helping food service teams recognize when a coworker may be struggling. Giving Kitchen has provided QPR suicide prevention training to almost 2,000 food service workers nationally. Afterward, 94% report feeling confident in their ability to help someone who may be suicidal, and one in four know someone who may need help and intend to reach out.

QPR training is free to food service workers and operators nationwide and takes approximately one hour. Participants can use code GKQPR at qprtraining.com.

Since its founding in 2013, Giving Kitchen has supported more than 40,000 food service workers in crisis, providing financial assistance and community resources for challenges including illness, injury, housing disasters and the death of a loved one.

Because no one should have to face a crisis alone.

This SEPTEMBER 25, Giving Kitchen is asking everyone to do more than say thank you: see the people behind the work, celebrate their contributions,  and help build a food service community where everyone knows they have somewhere to turn.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Thank a food service worker on September 25. Visit foodserviceworkerday.com for the campaign filter, post a photo or video on Instagram or LinkedIn, tag @GivingKitchen and use #FSWDay.

Food service workers experiencing a crisis can ask Giving Kitchen for help at givingkitchen.org/help.

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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SOURCE Giving Kitchen