Ben's Friends

Ben's Friends

And doesn't& include gun and ammo as well as hardware stores.

>>> over a month ago brooke schwieters told you about ben's friends.

Support group for alcohol and substance abuse.

It went nationwide.

Pandemic serving yet another hurdle for men and women.

Brooke circled back on them and they are not giving up on their goals here.

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>> brooke: no, definitely not.

You know, ben's friend is now actually operating completely virtual.

Not only connecting members to one another here in the lowcountry but like you mentioned, it is actually connecting them to members across the nation that support group has now expanded to over a dozen cities throughout the country.

Now, listen to this.

This is words -- these are words from co-founder of the support group mickey.

He says the industry he has been in for decades, it feels like it is being decimated.

He is estimating over a third of restaurants across the country.

Mind you he has been in the industry for a long time now.

He says a third of those restaurants will not be able to reopen.

Fear members of ben's friends coupling with the recovery journey.

Members tell me socialization is major tool during their journey toward sobriety.

Of course, now the platform not only supporting that recovery journey but also helping one another grapple with uncertainties within their industry.

>> we are going to be afraid to go in a restaurant and sit next to somebody at a table.

We are having talks now about how we are going to have to make adjustments.

The restaurant industry is unconditionally going to have to change and it is frightening to everybody.

>> now, the 3i spoke with were also stressing this is a tough time for those on edge of needing help.

Many coping with alcohol or drugs.

They encourage others to hop on a meeting if they are feeling the need for a little extra support especially during this tough time.

Right now there's also an initiative.

I want people to know about it.

It is pay it forward charleston and food and beverage workers without a job.

Donate a bag of groceries via the initiative.

I have it on the twitter page as well as information on meeting to