The Leto Campaign
How Grassfed Culture Hospitality is advocating for women in the restaurant industry
Photo: Antonella Re
As the pandemic ripped through the United States, thousands of people were left out in the cold—out of work, struggling, and scared—especially those working in hospitality. As the situation worsened, Pili Restrepo, who at the time was taking care of her one-year-old daughter, began to wonder how women working in restaurants, particularly single mothers, were going to survive. While Restrepo had support from her husband, Josh Hackler, she knew that wasn't the case for everyone.
“We just kept on hearing these terrible things happening to not only restaurants, but also the people involved in them,” says Restrepo. “I can't imagine women in the restaurant business trying to make ends meet and having restaurants close and nowhere to go.” Her concern turned to action while she, Hackler, and their business partner Chef Sebastián Vargas opened their first restaurant, Krüs Kitchen, and started Grassfed Culture Hospitality.
After participating in some local fundraisers and launching a GoFundMe page for single mothers working in hospitality, Restrepo focused her efforts on a new project, the Leto Campaign. “The elevator pitch is simple,” says Restrepo, “to help women in need in any way we can. It could be rent contributions, or relocating them if they are in an abusive home, [or] child care support.” Relying on donations and fundraising, the program works through their website, where women can apply for help and financial support from the campaign. “We didn't want the application to be so hard,” she says. “Asking for something is hard already.”
Since it began, the nimble organization has been able to support over 10 women and counting. “Women need help. We need support,” says Restrepo. “We need to feel like our kids are safe and taken care of in order for us to do our jobs.” The Leto Campaign has also partnered with local organizations and worked with female-owned businesses to fundraise for women in need. There is an emphasis on education as well. They are using the campaign’s website to share statistics and information about the challenges women and mothers face while working in hospitality and the disproportionate impact the pandemic had on them.
As Restrepo, Hackler, and Vargas expand Grassfed Culture Hospitality, they see a need to support their own team as well as the industry at large. “The government is not doing anything,” says Restrepo. “The private sector—it is our responsibility to take action.” The hope is for the Leto Campaign to continue to grow alongside their business. Although it is small, Restrepo is eager to create connections with other local industry professionals and turn the program into a larger, collaborative effort.
“Everyone is invited to contribute,” she says. “There is always room for improvement and things to talk about. There are more things we need to cover. How can we start that dialogue?”
