Feeding The Giant is a collection of nine stories told by restaurant workers across America. The project travelled to Wisconsin, Nevada, Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Utah, Illinois, and Massachusetts, and listened to the people who work in the restaurant industry. Although geographically disparate, each story told of a similar struggle - a struggle to survive on a tipped minimum federal wage that has not been raised in 26 years - a struggle to live in a system of economic oppression in which low wages act as a catalyst for other forms of hardship, such as sexual harassment, lack of paid sick leave, and racial and gender discrimination. And yet each story brought with it an underlying joy in working to bring others together over a shared meal. The people who work in restaurants are truly passionate and proud about their work, and want to be treated as the working professionals that they are.
The project tells each story in short form, offering a glimpse into the life of someone who struggles and yet goes on. The project took two and a half years to build, coming together in 2018 after filming was completed. Thank you to the hundred-plus people who’ve donated time, money, and their connections to making Feeding The Giant a reality. And most importantly: Thank you to the nine workers who shared their time with us. This project would be nothing without you, who were not afraid, who opened your front doors to us.
The team behind Feeding The Giant is looking to expand the impact of this project so if you are interested in collaborating on what's next please reach out: feedingthegiant@gmail.com.
This project was created by Devin Peek and written by David Krause. A big thank you to Nigel Sussman for bringing the project's illustrated portraits to life.
