When Kevin Finch, the founder of local nonprofit Big Table, dined out recently with a friend they received subpar service from their server. He was given a beer instead of the Arnold Palmer he ordered, and there was a lack of attentiveness despite being the only guests in the restaurant.
Instead of responding in anger and blaming the waitress, Finch asked her if she was OK. Stunned, she fled to the back of the house, but later returned to finally answer his question. The next day she was expected to find out if she'd have to return to prison and lose custody of her child.
The hidden harsh realities facing many workers in the hospitality industry are what inspired Finch to found Big Table back in 2009. A former pastor and local food critic, Finch recognized the disproportionate issues facing many working behind the scenes at our favorite bars and restaurants.
"I realized that everyone had a smile on their face — they all had jobs — but behind those smiles was a more concentrated need than I saw anywhere else in the community," he says.
In Spokane, nearly 24,000 people are employed in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Half of these employees fall below the poverty line and struggle to make ends meet or even keep a roof over their heads.
In fact, more than 50% of the referrals Big Table received in 2024 were due to housing instability or homelessness.
Danielle Gonzales teaches culinary classes to local high school students and received Big Table's help in 2024 when she was working as a sous chef. Gonzales struggled to find housing for herself and her child after breaking up with her long-term partner.
"I was in crisis, and I didn't know what Big Table did. I knew about their dinners, but I didn't know about what they actually did for the community out there," she says. "I was about to become homeless and I let my boss know, and he referred me there, and I've had a great connection with them ever since."
Gonzales' care coordinator, Miranda Clott, connected her with Village Cohousing Works to secure Gonzales her own brand-new manufactured home. Big Table also presented Gonzales with various gift cards to help her furnish her home.
Chris Deitz, Spokane's city director at Big Table, reiterates that about half of its direct care dollars go toward alleviating housing insecurity.
"I got involved with Big Table 10 years ago, coming from [a few] restaurants I cooked at" in the area, he says. "So, for me, it's been personal to get to support folks that work in the restaurant and hospitality industry."
True to its name, Big Table started around a table. For the first of many quarterly dinners, Finch invited chefs and others in the restaurant and hospitality industry to be "wined and dined."
"I just handed out those three-by-five cards and said, 'If you know someone that's hurting, put their name down and put your name down so we can call you first and find out more details, and then we'll do something about it,'" Finch says.
It was in this way that Finch organically created Big Table's care referral model.
"Somebody cannot come and plead their case to us, but rather it's that coworker, it's that manager, it's that friend that sees the need and reaches out on their behalf," Deitz says. "Because we have found those most in need aren't the ones actually asking for help."
In 2024, Big Table received 592 new referrals and supported 1,167 recipients. This includes Big Table's expanded reach across the U.S., with outposts in San Diego, Colorado Springs, and Nashville, Tennessee.
"The need is everywhere. The need is not unique to Spokane in the restaurant hospitality industry, if you look at the U.S. as a whole," Deitz says. "And so we could be anywhere that has somewhat of a significant restaurant and hotel scene."
While issues facing hospitality workers are similar across the nation, the generosity of Spokane donors stands out.
"Our experience here in Washington was that Spokane is an incredibly generous town in a way that when we had a team in Seattle for six years, we didn't see the same level of generosity in Seattle even though there's more money over there," Finch says.
While donations are kindly appreciated, there are also other ways to be part of the lasting change Big Table envisions for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Among those suggestions are simple acts like leaving a kind note on your receipt to "adopting" a local restaurant with friends and providing intentional care.
Whose day will you brighten during this Restaurant Week?
During Inlander Restaurant Week, diners can scan a QR code on participating restaurants' menus to be directed to a donation portal for Big Table, as well as CDAIDE in North Idaho, which also supports hospitality industry workers. Additionally, STCU's Here For Good Foundation is matching all donations made to these nonprofits during Restaurant Week, up to $10,000. It's easy to dine out and do good!
