‘Modern Family’ actor Ty Burrell teams up with Salt Lake City to help laid-off food service workers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Actor and Salt Lake City business owner Ty Burrell has donated $100,000 to fund a program that will offer grants to employees of restaurants and bars in Salt Lake City who have recently been laid off.

The announcement was made Friday by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, members of the Downtown Alliance and Ty Burrell. It was the “Modern Family” actor and part-owner of Bar X and Beer Bar in Salt Lake City who kicked off the funding.

If an employee of a restaurant or bar has been laid off because of recent closures initiated over COVID-19 concerns, that employee can apply for a $2,000 grant. The application will soon be available on the Tip Your Server website.

“We are hopeful that during this time,” Burrell said in a statement, “When so many restaurant and bar employees are facing uncertainty, that this effort can provide a small bit of relief.”

“Salt Lake City is a truly special place and our heart is with you.”

There are approximately 15,000 people in Salt Lake City who are employed in the food and beverage industry.

“We’re working to help,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Our hope is that this grant program will help food and beverage industry employees make ends meet.”

The ‘Tip Your Server’ program was developed quickly when Burrell approached Salt Lake City and the Downtown Alliance.

“We are moved by Ty Burrell’s generosity,” said Downtown Alliance President and CEO Derek Miller, “and know that many others who want to pledge support for our food and beverage worker friends.”

Ty Burrell spoke about his efforts of supporting servers and restaurants during this turbulent time on Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News.

Along those lines, anybody can donate to the fund by visiting the ‘Tip Your Server’ webpage.

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