FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ Why was Creatives for Kitchens formed?

Looking to order takeout one night in April, 2020, founder Christine Clayton searched Instagram, Facebook, and various restaurant websites to find out who was open till when, what was on the menu, whether they had contactless delivery, etc.—basic customer questions in the era of COVID-19. Third-party ordering platforms weren’t up to date, and calling for updates seemed like a burden for places with limited staffing. The next day, she took a walk around her Midtown Manhattan neighborhood and found a cute little takeout window a local restaurant had set up. Clayton was surprised to see the business hadn’t promoted it online, even though she was convinced that people would flock to it once they saw that it was not only available, but also easy and appealing. There had to be a better way to help these places connect with much-needed customers.

This is one of the biggest challenges restaurants face: Keeping up communication as they pivot and make adjustments to their operations. Clayton saw this as an opportunity for the creative community to step in and help by touching up menus, websites, social media, and signage to reflect these ongoing changes.

+ Who is involved in Creatives for Kitchens?

Creatives for Kitchens was founded by art director/designer Christine Clayton, an NYC resident with over a decade of advertising and marketing experience. After coming up with the idea, she made a few calls to her professional network, and less than a week later, more than 350 volunteers had signed up. We are a cooperative of volunteer creative directors, designers, writers, web developers, content creators, photographers, video editors, motion designers, and more—you name it, we make it.

+ Is this a nonprofit?

In the informal sense, yes, but we’re not officially incorporated with the State of New York. Like many other local aid networks that have formed with the onset of COVID-19, we’re an informal cooperative of volunteers donating a limited amount of time and services to help local businesses under extenuating circumstances. Because the scope of our activities is very narrow (simple a la carte services offered only to small restaurants in response to the pandemic), we have no plans at this time to seek tax-exempt status or incorporate. However, that may change as our mission evolves. If you’re a compliance or nonprofit expert who is willing to advise us pro bono on our approach, get in touch.

Just like the rest of the nation, many of us are undergoing layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts, etc. Those who are fortunate enough to be working are helping us out in their spare time. All of our volunteers are choosing to provide invaluable expertise for a good cause during a very difficult time. Be respectful. We will blacklist any business that we think is exploiting the situation.

+ How does the matching work?

We have a database of creative professionals and their skillsets. When a restaurant signs up with a need, we find the right creative for the job and reach out to see if they have time to work on it. If yes, we put them in touch with the restaurant.

Creatives may be assigned in teams, depending on the nature of the work needed (e.g., a website edit might require both a designer and a web developer).

In the future, creatives will be able browse opportunities on our website so they can choose what’s right for them, but for now, we’re making those decisions.

+ What are the qualifications for a restaurant to participate?

To receive our services, your establishment must meet the following criteria:

Located within New York City
Fewer than 100 employees
Fewer than 5 locations
Not currently working with an agency, design firm, or any outside company that provides marketing, branding PR, social media, or campaign support

Your information is stored in our database, and we’ll reach out when there’s an opportunity that fits your skillset. (In the future, however, you’ll be able to browse opportunities on our site and select which ones are right for you.)

If you consent to work on the project, we’ll hook you up directly with the restaurant, and you’ll manage things from there. Don’t hesitate to reach out if the ask is more than you bargained for or if you have an issue along the way. We’re here to help.

+ I’m a creative. When will I be matched with a restaurant?

We know you’re eager to do some good! It will take a bit of time, since many creatives signed up. We’re now focusing our efforts on reaching out to restaurants to build awareness. They can’t ask for help if they don’t know we exist, so spread the word wherever you can.

We’ll evaluate your request and work with you to answer questions and edit the scope if necessary to ensure it’s something our volunteers can realistically accomplish in their free time. Then we’ll find a creative (or a team of creatives) that suits your needs and put you in touch with them directly. They will manage the project from there on out. And don’t forget share Creatives for Kitchens with others in your industry.

+ When will I be matched with a creative?

Generally, you’ll be matched within a week!