Miss going out to your favorite restaurants? Us too!
Here’s how to support local eating establishments during these uncertain times and the gradual “reopening” period that follows.
Purchase gift cards from restaurants below and enjoy them or distribute them to those who need their spirits lifted most. This way you help both the restaurants and the recipients of the gift cards, a win-win for everyone.
Our small cafes, restaurants, bakeries, coffeehouses, wineries and food trucks are the anchor of our community and provide so much more than food and drink. These are the places where we meet to celebrate, share our human connections and live life to its fullest.
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates on participating organizations and learn how your contributions are helping our community. All of our partner restaurants are working to provide care and comfort, and will be posting news about specials. Check back for updates to discover more!
Help those in need of a meal
Buy gift cards and find joy in these challenging times by passing them on to those in need — family, friends, neighbors, service providers, field workers, front line medical personnel or first responders.
You’ll be lifting the spirits and hopes of our entire community.
Find like-minded organizations
Locate organizations you can purchase cards for, such as Food Bank for Monterey County or other individuals or organizations here. They will get them to those most in need. There are also plans for a campaign to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County through targeted promotions and matching donations from sponsors.
More ways to support our heroes
Look for our online music events organized by Kiki Wow to help raise funds. We plan to hold at least two online Music Care-A-thon Events. These concerts will help raise money to fund the campaign, purchase gift cards for those in need, as well as support struggling musicians who have found themselves unable to perform in public. Next concert date is Sunday, October 25, 6:00-7:00 pm. Please tune in HERE to listen.
LATEST CONCERT NEWS HERE
The campaign for Kindness Monterey began the way many worthy projects begin, with two good friends sharing an idea for a worthwhile cause. Friends Annee Martin and Maren Elwood were talking about how they missed going out to their favorite restaurants and how they could support them during the pandemic-induced closings.
Annee’s background, which includes growing up in the restaurant business and being trained as a professional chef for 25 years, felt the emotional and economic pain that this was having on restaurant owners. She understood that as every day passed, that this could be the end of many of her favorite restaurants. She was heartbroken as she read some of the signs posted on closed restaurants and some of the messages on the websites to their customers.