A Restaurant Server’s Story: How She Found Stability After A Stroke

After over 20 years in the food service industry, Layla has seen both the joy of connecting with diners and the pressures that come with being a server in Milwaukee, WI. Her love for working with people has defined her long career. But a sudden crisis changed everything. Layla experienced a stroke that left her unable to work and facing an uncertain recovery.

The financial burden that followed quickly became overwhelming, putting her housing at risk. Layla had been on the verge of losing her apartment when she found Giving Kitchen through a post she follows mentioning a donation on social media. Knowing she needed support, she bravely reached out for help.

After filling out her Ask For Help application, she was assigned a case manager. Giving Kitchen offered financial assistance, helping Layla pay her rent and utilities for two months. The process was simple and respectful, allowing her to focus on her recovery rather than the stress of economic hardship. While her diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has extended her recovery, the support from Giving Kitchen provided the stability she needed to continue healing.

Layla’s story highlights how financial assistance and a network of compassionate resources can play a crucial role for food service workers in crisis. Asking for help is an act of strength, and organizations like Giving Kitchen are part of a larger journey towards stability. Layla mentions, “Giving Kitchen gives stability and strength. I can get through this!”

If you want to support more stories like Layla’s, join us in supporting Giving Kitchen’s mission. If you’re a food service worker experiencing a crisis, ask for help today, our community is ready to stand with you.

Fund the critical need: By donating to Giving Kitchen, you’re standing alongside food service workers—our friends, neighbors, and loved ones—who may be facing their own moments of crisis. Your support means more relief, more hope, and a stronger, more caring community.

Let’s keep extending that warmth and encouragement.
Donate today and help support food service workers in crisis.
Together, we can make sure no one in our industry faces hardship alone.