A “tip war” between alums from two colleges raised more than $ 34,000 for restaurant workers in Cincinnati

They say friendly competition is a good thing. But when the competition turns into thousands of dollars raised for a good cause, that’s a great thing.

Last month, a “typing war” broke out in Cincinnati, Ohio between alumni and fans of two competing universities. Xavier University and University of Cincinnati fans have given each other generous tips at local restaurants, and in just one month more than $ 34,000 has been raised to help pandemic restaurant workers in Cincinnati, said Mike Burke, Owner of the Zip-Café.

It all started at Zip’s Café in early January when a Xavier alumnus who was going to school with his daughter left a $ 1,000 tip on a $ 54 bill and a note for his Xavier alumni server.

“Please share this tip with all of your employees as they work so hard and have to do with COVID. Go Xavier! “The man wrote.

After the restaurant shared a photo of this type on social media, two University of Cincinnati fans left a $ 1,001 tip and note at the Keystone Bar & Grill, just ten kilometers from Zip’s Café.

“Earlier this week, I saw a Xavier fan tip $ 1,000 on Zip,” read the competing note. “I think we need to support our local restaurants now more than ever. Let’s see how long we can hold out … Bearcats increased by 1 !! “

The customers, who wished to remain anonymous, asked the bar to post a photo of the large tip on social media, “not for recognition but to inspire others to do the same for those in the service industry,” Keystone wrote in a message that they wrote happily posted on their Facebook.

“It’s your turn, Xavier fans!” read the post. “Who will beat the Bearcats by leaving a $ 1,002 tip at your favorite bar or restaurant?”

In the past few weeks, generous patrons who participated in the “Tipping War” have raised more than $ 34,000 in tips for restaurant workers across Cincinnati.

“Xavier and UC happen to be three miles apart, which makes it one of the closest rivalries in college sports,” Spip’s cafe owner Mike Burke told CNN. “I think the closeness definitely helped drive the traction of this very generous feel-good movement.”

“Aside from the money, I know that it made everyone’s faces smile and even those who weren’t directly involved,” Burke continued. “I have to say we all could certainly use a smile these days.”

Around 110,000 restaurants across the country or 17% of the total number of restaurants are permanently closed or will be closed for the long term, according to the National Restaurant Association.

In just one month, food and drink employment fell by 372,000 last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).