Assistant Manager’s Path to Stability After Her Son’s Accident

For food service workers across the country, every shift is an act of dedication—not just to their team and customers, but to the families waiting for them at home. Balancing the demands of the food service industry with raising children is no small feat. Early morning prep, late-night closes, and everything in between—all while making sure homework gets done and dinner makes it to the table.

Jennifer knows this balancing act well. As a fast food assistant manager and mother of three boys, she’s spent nearly a decade building her career in the restaurant industry while providing for her family. Like so many working mothers in food service, she’s learned to keep everything moving, even when the hours are long and the work is demanding.

But when her youngest son was suddenly injured in a serious accident, Jennifer found herself facing a crisis no parent should have to navigate—especially while worrying about unpaid time off and mounting bills. Her story is a reminder that behind every food service worker is a whole life: children to care for, bills to pay, and a family counting on them.

Here’s Jennifer’s story, in her own words.

Hello Giving Kitchen,

My name is Jennifer. I have worked in the restaurant industry in Michigan for around 9 years. I have done many positions including backline, prep, pantry, and management. I have currently worked for the company Inspire Brands at Arby’s for almost 5 years now. I started as a crew member doing backline and prep and quickly moved to team trainer. I later took a shift management position and have currently been in a salaried position as an assistant manager for two years now. I am a mother of three boys, ages 17, 15, and 10.

I had an accident occur with my 10-year-old son. He was at his dad’s house for the weekend and he was riding an E-scooter and was struck by a vehicle. I was on my way to pick him up to go fishing at the time, and his big brother and I found him in the road very badly injured. I work 48 hours a week normally, and I had to take off a lot of work to stay home with him as well as take him to many different doctor appointments due to the accident.

He had five broken bones, including both jaws, his cheekbone, and both clavicles. His jaw was wired shut for two weeks after a surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I do have access to short-term disability, but it only applied to an injury pertaining to me, and my FMLA did not pay me for the time I had to be home. An old general manager of mine from Arby’s told me about Giving Kitchen when she heard what had happened to my son.

I was hesitant to reach out and ask for help. I am always the one helping others, and I do not do well taking help from other people—I like to take care of my own problems. But as nothing like this had ever happened to me or my family before, I decided to reach out and ask for some help in this heartbreaking and stressful time for my family. Giving Kitchen was amazing and they made it very comfortable for me to ask for help. I had to go through a process of forms and verifications and send them some information verifying that he was my son and proof of medical records from the accident and the police report of the incident that occurred. After all my information was verified, Giving Kitchen informed me that they would be helping my family with financial assistance in the amount of our mortgage. I received the money very quickly, within two weeks, and I was so thankful.

Getting the assistance from Giving Kitchen allowed me to stay home and take some days off for follow-up appointments for my son and focus on him and his healing so that he knew that he was the most important thing and he came first. Without Giving Kitchen, I don’t know what financial burdens would have been placed on us after we were already being pressed with heavy medical and emotional burden. Thank you to Giving Kitchen and the wonderful workers who I spoke with on the phone and through email. Your organization is amazing and my family needed and appreciated what you did for us.

Keep helping us restaurant workers while we continue to serve and feed our communities!

Sincerely,
Jennifer

Jennifer’s story reflects a reality many food service workers face: when an unexpected crisis hits, there’s often no safety net to catch you. And for workers who are also parents, the stakes feel even higher.

At Giving Kitchen, we know that the people we serve aren’t just employees—they’re moms, dads, and family caregivers. On average, the food service workers we support have two children in their household. That means when crisis strikes, it’s not just one person affected—it’s an entire family.

Whether it’s a child’s medical emergency, an unexpected housing crisis, or the loss of a loved one, we’re here to help food service workers find their footing again. Because no one should have to choose between being present for their family and keeping a roof over their heads.

You’re not alone. Together, we are Giving Kitchen. 

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