City of helpers
Dining for fire relief, where to donate, LA voices, links
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
That famous quote from Fred Rogers couldn’t be more appropriate to describe Los Angeles in the wake of the most destructive wildfires in the city’s history. From the firefighters and first responders who jumped into action and continue to fight the flames, to everyone who’s volunteered, contributed to GoFundMes, and overwhelmed donation centers with essential goods for the displaced, LA is a city of helpers. (See The Angel’s comprehensive roundup of resources, donation links, volunteer opportunities, and more for further evidence.)
It’s also true of our restaurant community, which has a knack for mobilizing in times of crisis. Eateries all over the city are offering free meals to first responders and countless Angelenos who are displaced or, worse, lost homes entirely. Still others are delivering food to the front lines and shelters, keeping our city’s bravest and most vulnerable nourished.
To outsiders, LA can have the reputation of being a city of superficial “rich people.” I don't know that city. I know this one, though — a city full of heart and compassion, that comes together as a community when it matters most. I love this city, a city of helpers. I love LA. –Karen Palmer
ON THE GROUND: As Eaton fire still burns, locals gather seeds to regrow • TV director's home burned down in 2018. Now he's a lifeline • LA stables turn Noah's Ark for fire rescue animals • Whisper network emerges in rush for housing • Rent gouging has become a crisis on top of the crisis • On L.A. 2.0.
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Dine for good
Nine establishments supporting fire relief efforts across LA. Additions? Comment, hit reply, or email found@itsfoundla.com.
Baroo (Arts District, above), donating 10% of proceeds this week to World Central Kitchen, reserve
Seline (Santa Monica), running raffle to win complimentary dinner for two for every $100 donated to the LAFD Fund, details
Sala Coffee and Wine (Long Beach), hosting wildfire fundraiser Sat 1/18 3-8p w/ a portion of all vendor proceeds going to GoFundMe(s) dedicated to relief efforts, details
Linden (Hollywood), donating 20% of January proceeds to California Wildfire Fund, reserve
Carla’s Fresh Market (Mt Washington), hosting bake sale Sat 1/25 starting 10a to raise funds for World Central Kitchen, details
Le Great Outdoor (Santa Monica), buy firefighter/first responder a meal as restaurant continues to deliver 2x daily, order
Shake Shack (multiple locations), donating $1 from every order at participating CA outposts thru tomorrow, to World Central Kitchen, details
Ayara Thai (Westchester), donate community meal to firefighters/first responders via beloved Thai restaurant’s online ordering, order
Rory’s Place (Ojai), hosting dinner party with Yola Mezcal Fri 1/17 5-10p with all proceeds going to World Central Kitchen, reserve
LA RESTAURANTS: 61 L.A. restaurants offering free meals to fire evacuees • ‘Our job is to feed the community’ • Tracking LA restaurants impacted by the fires • Malibu and Altadena restaurants damaged or destroyed by fires • The Los Angeles restaurants we lost • Restaurants were the first to step up, but who is taking care of them now?
RESOURCES & SUPPORT • FOUND LA
Where we’re donating
FOUND's LA editors and contributors name some of the organizations they’re donating to right now.
→ Little Fish and the Chainsaw team are cooking delicious, warm meals and sending them to anyone displaced by (or fighting) the fires. I know many of them personally and they’re a powerhouse team, talent-wise and personality-wise. The same is true of Cafe Tropical, who’s working with Feed the Streets to make burritos for those in need. Donate to Little Fish. Donate to Feed the Streets LA. –Emily Wilson
→ Altadena Girls Fire Recovery is helping restore normalcy for teenagers impacted by the Eaton Fire by collecting items like clothing, shoes, beauty, hygiene products, and bras. It was launched by an eighth grader named Avery whose school burned down. The teen years are tough enough as is without this level of loss and devastation, so this organization really touches my heart. Donate. –Karen Palmer
→ Baby2Baby, who distribute new and gently used clothing and basics for babies and children in need. Donate. –Zoe Schaeffer
→ Sorella Collective, a female-led grassroots initiative, helping organize and distribute meals from some of the best chefs and restaurants this city has to offer (Botanica, Sqirl, etc). You can Venmo them directly to keep the good things coming. Donate. –Jamie Feldmar
→ The Pasadena Humane Society is an excellent organization to support during these challenging times, as they do incredible work rescuing and caring for both wild and domestic animals. Donate. –Kelly Rose & Marine White
→ In the aftermath of the Eaton fire, this Google Spreadsheet lists more than 350 displaced Black families using GoFundMe to raise funds for rebuilding and restoring their homes. Consider donating to one of them, or directly to a GoFundMe set up for the family of LA Times food editor Danielle Dorsey, as their Altadena home was among those damaged by the fire. –Caitlin White
→ World Central Kitchen. Their mission of providing meals in times of crisis is incredibly inspiring and impactful. In moments when people are displaced, vulnerable, or recovering, WCK steps in with both food and hope — anywhere in the world. Donate. –Victoire Loup
→ Mutual Aid LA Network is an excellent community resource both for those looking to help as well as anyone directly impacted by the fires. A good place to start is by reviewing their directory, which has been tracking a number of local organizations and their evolving needs. –Grace Bernard
→ 11:11 Media Impact. Having no home, no pillow to put your head on is a tragic realization many are experiencing. Let’s help house those displaced. Donate. –Jeremy Louwerse
→ GoFundMe for Teacher Carline, who lost everything in the Eaton fire. She’s the art teacher of my friend’s son. That friend, Meredith — whose family evacuated from Pasadena last week — described Carline this way: “She may be the sweetest, kindest, most delightful human I’ve ever met.” Donate. –Lockhart Steele
→ Watch Duty, the source for realtime tracking during the fires, is volunteer-run, non-profit, and relies mostly on donations to fund its operations. Donate. –Josh Albertson
→ To live in LA right now is to know people who have lost everything. For many, charitable donations and organizing is happening organically, which is to say it’s community-based. An example: my younger son is on the All Star team for his little league. We’re a very tight knit group of families that spend every moment of every summer together. One of the coaches on our team is a recently retired career firefighter, and we have all been leaning on him in our group chat to help us to understand the fire behavior, how the weather patterns will affect it, etc. What he and his family have also been able to do is let our group know what is needed, where. Most of the families on our team have dropped off resources with this family, who knows exactly how and where to deliver it to the folks that need it most. Beyond that, the Altadena Girls Fire Recovery and the LAFD Foundation Emergency Wildfire Fund both are doing amazing work and deserve support. –Isabel White
LA VOICES: Caitlin Schneider: The world we once knew is gone • Michael Oates Palmer: Some maps of Los Angeles • Kemal Cilengir: The Palisades I loved, then and now • Mayer Rus: On loss and living in LA • Tejal Rao: The heartache of being home • Susan Orlean: Manifest destiny • Kelsey Keith: On loving where you live • Michael Williams: Everything is different when you’re a parent • Eddie Huang: Do the right thing • Austin Tedesco: Restaurants are insane • Emily Wilson: What comes next.
ASK FOUND
Today, two PROMPTS for which we seek intel:
Which groups or causes would you add to the donations list above?
Which restaurants are open that you’re supporting?
Tell us in the comments, hit reply, or email found@itsfoundLA.com.