Restaurants are operating with skeleton staffs right now. A majority of restaurant employees have been laid off, including those from the biggest and most successful restaurateurs in town. You can support those who have seen their hours cut significantly by tipping big on takeout orders, or check out the fundraisers below to support those who have been laid off. —Kristen Wile

ServiceIndustry.Tips
Each time you have a drink or meal at home, you can use this app to send a virtual tip to Charlotte restaurant and bar workers in need. Log on to the site, and a random name will pop up, telling you who you’re tipping and where they work.

Plaza Midwood Cares
Led by Alex Kestanas, whose parents own Soul Gastrolounge and KiKi, Plaza Midwood Cares is collecting money to donate to service industry members in the neighborhood.

Purchase gift cards
Several restaurant groups are giving a portion of gift card sales directly to employees. Both sister concepts Sea Level NC and The Waterman and Rare Roots Hospitality (Dressler’s, Dogwood, Fin & Fino, The Porter’s House) are giving 20 percent of gift card sales directly to staff.

Petition to Save America’s Restaurants
Some of the biggest names in America’s restaurant industry have signed a petition asking Congress to act and help restaurants survive the current shut-down. Read it, and sign it if you agree.

NCRLA Hospitality Workers Relief Fund
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has a fund to support those in need. Anyone can donate, or nominate someone to receive funds. They don’t have to be a member.

Frontline Foods
This organization is paying restaurants to provide meals for healthcare workers.

GoFundMe for your favorite restaurants
Several restaurants are looking to GoFundMe to raise money for staff while they’re furloughed.

Shift4 Cares
Shift4 is matching donating an additional 5 percent of your gift card purchases made through their site to restaurants, up to $100 million across the U.S.