Stories of Support in DTLA
If there is one thing that has become abundantly clear over the past several weeks, it’s that Angeleno’s love for their neighbors and community knows no bounds. Following the catastrophic wildfires, we’ve seen people, organizations, and businesses stepping up to do what they can to help those in need. We want to amplify that by continuing to highlight ways to help out and give back, as we have on our How to Help page. Another great thing you can do is support the various businesses and organizations that have been on the front line of fire relief efforts. From providing delicious, custom meals to evacuation centers and donating labor and food for dozens of fundraisers, these businesses now need your help to keep the good fight going. As the work continues, we want to ensure that wildfire victims, first responders, and the folks that are supporting them, are getting the help they need from the DTLA community. So, keep an eye out as we feature businesses that are giving back and shine a light on how you can help them keep up the good work.
The YMCA has become a home base for fire relief efforts in DTLA. Through their donation drives they’ve been able to provide direct support to evacuees in the affected areas, while their fundraising efforts have been feeding first responders, and their free childcare service for fire victims has been invaluable. But they still need your help! Volunteers are needed to unload and sort items at the Ketchum-Downtown Y, and if you have transportation, they need help delivering those items to the affected YMCA locations in the impacted areas. Donations are being accepted everyday and most recently they’ve specifically requested everyday disposable items like shampoo, large-size diapers, razors, and pet products, but needs change often so be sure to check their Instagram for the most up-to-date info.
You can also support the YMCA by becoming a member and utilizing their incredible athletic resources! The Y offers everything from group classes, personal training, youth sports, and fun activities like pickleball tournaments. Just by joining you can help them continue to provide essential services to wildfire relief efforts. Sign up here.
Pez Cantina is a foundational restaurant in DTLA. Family-owned and operated, this Mexican restaurant is good food by good people. Recognizing the power of bringing people together with food, owners Bret and Lucy Thompson leapt into action, partnering with SoCal Gas to serve 1,700 warm meals to the responding teams that were working tirelessly in both Malibu and Arcadia. But they didn’t stop there. At their Pasadena location, they opened their doors to provide buffet dinners and essential supplies to anyone affected and tapped local partners to help supply more ingredients to make more meals. Their original location on Bunker Hill has been one of our go-tos for years, and you can help Pez continue to provide fire relief support by stopping by to say hi and having a meal! Their huge menu of coastal Mexican food is drool-worthy and their margaritas are NOT shy with the tequila, a win-win all around. Make a reservation here.
Another long-standing DTLA business that we adore is vegan Vietnamese restaurant, Au Lac. Small but mighty, this spot is also family-owned and operated and partnered with Plant Based Treaty LA and Animal Alliance Network to deliver fresh, vegan meals to evacuation centers in Pasadena. With such a huge number of evacuees at the height of evacuations, providing vegan meals to those that required them was an invaluable service that ensured no one went unfed. To help Au Lac continue their efforts to help, consider eating in or ordering out – their food is so good that even your most carnivorous friends will love it. Order online here.
If you or someone that you know has been affected by the fires and is seeking resources on anything from housing to support, please check out our Community Resources page here.