SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Volunteers and community members gathered at a local San Francisco restaurant on Sunday to pack and organize critical donations for victims of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
Community Rallies At Local Restaurant
The donation drive is being hosted at Arepas Latin Cuisine in San Francisco. While community members have donated a large amount of clothing, volunteers emphasize that the most urgent needs right now include:
- First aid supplies and hygiene products
- Baby food
- Non-perishable, long-lasting meals
Organizers are currently asking for more community volunteers to help box the collected items and transport them to a central warehouse in Oakland, where they will be prepared for international shipping.
Personal Ties To The Tragedy
For many Bay Area residents, the disaster hit incredibly close to home. Alejandro Henriquez, a local neighbor who donated his children’s clothes, shared that his own father lost his home in the earthquake and is currently staying with friends.
Ricardo Scogna, whose family owns Arepas Latin Cuisine, stated that they did not hesitate to turn their business into a relief hub. “Our people need everything. Everything matters in this moment,” Scogna told local reporters.
How To Donate
The relief effort is moving quickly, with the first flight of emergency donations scheduled to depart this Wednesday.
Local residents who wish to contribute can drop off supplies during normal business hours at two locations:
- Arepas Latin Cuisine – San Francisco
- Arepas Latin Cuisine – San Jose
