DALLAS, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), the leading business association for Texas’ $70.6 billion food service industry, has teamed up with Dallas-based digital marketing firm Lux214 Media Group to fund the TX Restaurant Relief Fund through a week-long online auction.
The auction consists of exclusive chef and food experiences, gift certificates, products, memorabilia, and much more. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the TX Restaurant Relief Fund, which was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has created a challenge of catastrophic magnitude for the restaurant industry. In Texas, the pandemic has caused 688,000 job losses, $80 billion in lost sales revenue, and has caused 34% of Texas’ 50,000 restaurants to close since March 15.
“Our team is working hard to put critical funds directly into the hands of the Texas restaurant communities’ most vulnerable population, independent restaurant owners, which in turn will help to save the jobs of the workers they employ,” said Dr. Emily Williams Knight, TRA President and CEO. “Restaurants in Texas are facing a catastrophe unlike we’ve ever seen. We are inspired by their determination and appreciate the support from our partners as we work to save restaurants.”
The auction is open to everyone – industry and the general public – and will also accept direct donations. The online auction can be seen at DishingOutRelief.com.
The bidding began Wednesday, April 29 at midnight and will end on Wednesday, May 6, at midnight. Items up for bidding range in price from $25 to $20,000. Items up for bidding include:
- Wolfgang Puck autographed chef jacket
- 5 course private dinner for 10 by Chef Stephan Pyles
- Courtside Dallas Mavericks tickets and photo with player
- Dinner party for 10 with Chef Kent Rathbun at private residence
- Front Burner home dinner party experience with Chefs from Ida Claire, Mexican Sugar and Whiskey Cake
- A year’s supply of Vital Farms Eggs
- Lucchese Bootmaker gift card for $500
- A private in-home wine tasting presented by Court of Master Sommelier Certified Professional
- Tickets to sporting events
- Gift Cards
- Much more
“This is a cause that hits really close to home for me,” said Donna Tanner, co-founder of Lux214 Media Group and an executive in the restaurant industry in Texas for more than 30 years. “When the opportunity presented itself for our firm to help, we jumped at the chance. The money raised in this auction is going to pump some much-needed life into a multi-billion-dollar industry in Texas that desperately needs it.”
TRA has set a goal to raise a minimum of $10 million for the fund and Lux214 Media group hopes that this auction will help them reach that goal and support as many of Texas’ independently owned restaurants as possible. The objective is to provide immediate relief by getting the money to restaurants quickly.
“It is critical that people from all across Texas come together in solidarity to help in this time of crisis,” said Chef Stephan Pyles. “It is not only crucial for the economy in our great state, but for our culture. The funds we raise from this auction will make a significant impact on saving the restaurant industry in Texas, and by doing so, will be saving our culture and unique traditions.”
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