The Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival is expanding assistance available to Hill Country hospitality workers through a new partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation.

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Events Foundation, producer of the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival (FFWF), announced the partnership Aug. 12 as an expansion of support available through its Hill Country Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund.

The fund, created by FFWF, provides emergency financial assistance to hospitality workers in Gillespie, Mason, Llano and Blanco counties facing medical expenses, transportation emergencies, essential family needs and other unforeseen circumstances.