The Covid-19 pandemic has had tragic and lasting consequences for people around the world, presenting hardships no one could have anticipated. For those working in the bar and restaurant industry, this statement couldn’t be more true.

In Spring 2020, bars and restaurants across the United States were forced to close entirely or rely on takeout only. Over time, many shuttered for good, leaving countless Americans unemployed. It wasn’t significantly better for those who managed to persevere; sales and profits were at an all time low, and many service workers operating paycheck to paycheck had to deal with even more untenable situations than before. While the recent passage of the RESTAURANTs Act may provide relief to some, there is still much to be done to help people pay their bills, rebuild their savings, and breathe a little easier for the first time in months.

Aiden and Louis, brothers and former service industry workers, experienced the stresses of working in a bar during the pandemic firsthand. While they had the privilege of being able to provide for themselves after being laid off, many of their friends and family did not find themselves in the same situation.

To give back to an industry that they for so long loved being a part of, Aiden and Louis, a writer and an artist, decided to walk across the United States to fundraise for Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. They hope to shine a light on an issue important to them by sharing stories of individuals they meet along the road to raise awareness and funds for restaurant workers across the country.