The Los Angeles Restaurant Community Needs Your Help — Here's Where to Donate

On January 7, wildfires spread through the city of Los Angeles, tearing through Altadena, Malibu, the Pacific Palisades, the Hollywood Hills, and Sylmar. Residents and business owners have been forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods as they burn to the ground. According to the Los Angeles Times, as of this writing, more than 9,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and at least 130,000 residents are under evacuation order in what will likely be the most costly wildfire in American history.

The Los Angeles hospitality industry has rallied together, offering frontline workers and evacuees free meals, clean water, and a place to rest, but many of those restaurant workers have lost homes of their own. Dozens of Los Angeles restaurants burned down, leaving entire teams heartbroken and out of work. Even more restaurants have been partially damaged or left without power, unable to operate. And the fires are still ongoing.

In this time of crisis, here is how you can support the Los Angeles restaurant industry. This list will be updated as more fundraisers and donation opportunities arise.

Major Organizations

American Red Cross: The nonprofit humanitarian organization is working around the clock to support individuals who have been forced to flee their homes. Their disaster teams are providing relief services, such as food, clean water, emotional support, and safe housing. To fund their efforts, make a donation through redcross.org. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word, “REDCROSS” to 90999. 

California Community Foundation: Since 1915, the California Community Foundation has strived to address and find long-term solutions for the greatest issues facing Los Angeles County. Today, they’re committed to serving the marginalized communities impacted by the wildfires. “Our efforts aim to rebuild and restore the lives of California’s most affected and underserved populations,” they said in a statement on calfund.org. “The fund has supported a diverse range of organizations addressing the needs of a diverse collection of communities including Native American, Muslim, migrant and non-native English-speaking communities, as well as food workers, individuals with disabilities, children and the elderly. Donate on pledge.to or send a check to the California Community Foundation.

CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation: The CAL Fire Benevolent Foundation raises money to support firefighters, the loved ones of firefighters, and burn victims. Your donations will help provide financial and medical assistance to the firefighters injured on the frontline of the wildfires. Donate through paypal.com.

California Fire Foundation: Through emotional and financial assistance, the California Fire Foundation supports firefighters, the family of fallen firefighters, and the communities impacted by fire. Their Wildfire & Disaster Relief fund will benefit the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and the firefighters on the frontlines. Make a tax-deductible donation on cpf.salsalabs.org.

GoFundMe: The world’s largest crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe, has created a landing page containing various donation opportunities related to those impacted by the Pacific Palisades, Sylmar and Altadena wildfire. You can donate to the Wildfire Relief Fund 2025, which provides recovery grants to the victims, or support one of the many verified fundraisers from families, businesses, and individuals in the Los Angeles area. 

The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army aims to address human needs across the globe. In the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires, they are providing meals, emotional support, and temporary housing to those who have been displaced. They have three evacuation shelters, 13 emergency vehicles, six mobile kitchens, five transit vans, and two shower trailers. Donate to their disaster relief effort here.  

Hospitality Relief

World Central Kitchen: Founded by chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen has been providing meals during natural disasters and humanitarian crises since 2010. The Los Angeles wildfires are no exception — Andrés and his team have set up stations to feed first responders and evacuees delicious and comforting meals. To help fund World Central Kitchen’s efforts, you can send a one-time donation or sign up for monthly donations here.

Restaurants Care: Since 2017, the California-based Restaurants Care has helped over 2,300 workers and 1,600 independent restaurants, and their Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has provided $5.94 million in grants to 1,325 restaurants. Through their website, individuals can donate money to support L.A. hospitality workers affected by the fires, and the organization has opened up a $100,000 fund to start.

Welcome to Chinatown Sik Faan Fund: “Sik fa-an” 食飯 means “let’s eat!” in Cantonese, and the Welcome to Chinatown organization has revived its eponymous fund to purchase meals from small businesses for first responders and evacuees. To kick off the fund, WtC has purchased 1,000 meals from Rosalynn Supper Club, and Suá Superette has signed on to the cause as well.

South LA Community Foundation: This nonprofit is on a mission to support South Central Los Angeles by empowering families through access to resources, building the economy, and creating a safe and equitable community. One of their initiatives, South LA Cafe, is preparing and providing meals to distribute to people impacted by the wildfires, in addition to clothing, clean water, and face masks. To help provide them with more resources, donate at theslacfoundation.givingfuel.com.

Another Round Another Rally: Nonprofit Another Round Another Rally is a financial and educational resource for hospitality workers. In addition to offering scholarships and reimbursement grants, they provide assistance for restaurants, bars, and hotels that have been impacted by natural disasters. You can now donate to Another Round Another Rally's Disaster Relief Fund, which provides real-time support for restaurant workers affected by the Los Angeles fires. You can also buy a Los Angeles Hospitality Industry Relief shirt from hospitality apparel store, Mover & Shaker — 100% of the profits will be donated to Another Round Another Rally's Disaster Relief Fund.

Southern Smoke Foundation: To ensure meaningful recovery and sustainability as the community rebuilds, the Southern Smoke team, which provides emergency grants and mental health resources to people in the hospitality industry, is working on plans to assist California food and beverage workers in the long term via their emergency relief fund starting in June 2025. Donations for California wildfire recovery are now being accepted to build necessary resources. Spots are currently available in their Behind You mental health program through their partnership with Cal Lutheran University. They encourage California food and beverage workers affected by the fires to apply. ⁠An email from co-founder Lindsay Brown says that, "SSF aims to be a resource for recovery, following the incredible work of the first responders." 

GoFundMes to Support

Amara Kitchen: Altadena restaurant Amara Cafe burned down in the Eaton wildfire. Owner Paola Guasp is fundraising to, first and foremost, support her team. "Supporting our employees is central to the ethos of Amara Kitchen and who we are as a small, Latina-owned business," Guasp says in the GoFundMe. "With your help, we hope to raise the necessary funds to keep our staff employed and build a stronger path forward during this uncertain time."

Cafe de Leche: The Eaton fire destroyed beloved Altadena cafe, Cafe de Leche. "This cafe was not just a business — it was a community space, a gathering place, and a dream we built together," shared co-owners Anya and Matt Schodorf on their GoFundMe. "But more than that, it’s home to a group of incredible individuals who are the true heart and soul of our café: our six wonderful employees." Donations will support those employees with wages, medical bills, rent, transportation, and any other basic necessities.

Cholada Thai: Cholada Thai, a restaurant that has served the Malibu beach community for a quarter of a century, burned down in the Palisades wildfire. "For 25 years, Cholada Thai has been more than just a restaurant to me – it has been my life," says owner Nikorn Sriwichailumpan in his GoFundMe description. "I have spent nearly every single day at the restaurant, pouring my heart into every dish, every interaction, and every moment spent with our amazing customers. Cholada isn’t just a business; it’s a place where I’ve built lifelong relationships, served countless families, and worked side by side with an incredible team." Sriwichailumpan is requesting donations to begin the process of rebuilding Cholada Thai so they can eventually open their doors again.

Fox's Restaurant: Neighborhood American spot, Fox's Restaurant, was destroyed in the Eaton Canyon wildfire. Not only is this a tragic loss for the Altadena community, but it has also left all 15 of their team members unemployed. Fox's owner Paul Rosenbluh is requesting donations to provide aid to the staff, "to help them rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastation."

The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop: Since 1955, The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop has been owned and operated by the Shay family, serving the Altadena community with all-day breakfast and soul food. On January 7, the restaurant was destroyed. "We are completely lost for words to see what my grandmother built, my uncle Lonzia, and my mom created, burn down to flames," says third-generation owner Annisa Shay. "If you can find it in your heart to help my family's business, we appreciate you so much."

Minik Market: Family-run Minik Market, a space created to support the Altadena community with locally made specialty goods and homeware, has burned down. Owners Jon Johnson and Gamze Ozcan are requesting donations to pay their team members' outstanding payroll, fulfill commitments to their vendors, and manage outstanding payments, ultimately giving them the flexibility and freedom to determine the future of their business.

The Reel Inn Malibu: The Pacific Palisade fires destroyed Malibu seafood institution The Reel Inn. The 36-year-old restaurant’s owners Andy and Teddy Leonard are requesting donations to cover three months of wages, benefits, and support for his staff. “These hardworking individuals are more than employees — they’re family,” they said in the GoFundMe description. “They’ve supported us through thick and thin, and now we want to ensure they have the financial stability they need during this difficult time.”

Side Pie: “Our whole neighborhood burned to the ground today,” says Side Pie owner Kevin Hockin in his GoFundMe description. “This is our community hub and pizza/coffee sanctuary.” Hockin has been a resident of Altadena, CA for 11 years, and was heartbroken to see his restaurant destroyed by the wildfires. Hockin is asking for $100,000 to support his team and cover the cost of rebuilding his business from the ground up.

Chefs Amy and Tristan Aitchison: Husband-and-wife Amy and Tristan Aitchison, both chefs at the two-Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Providence, lost everything in the Palisades fire, leaving them and their two kids without a home. Their teammates Kim and Stephanie Stodel are requesting for donations to help the Aitchinsons get back on their feet. "If you work BOH in the restaurant industry or know anything about it, you know how hard it can be to make a living, let alone having to start over from ground zero," the Stodels stated in the GoFundMe. "Today, I ask that you assist them by giving back to a couple and family that has given so much to our community. Today, they are the ones in need of our help."

Restaurateur Tony Bañuelos: The Eaton fire took the home of Tony Bañuelos, owner of Monrovia barbecue restaurant, Jake's Roadhouse. "The Bañuelos Family lost their home and all of their belongings, leaving them only with what they were wearing during evacuation," said Raquel Bañuelos, Tony's daughter-in-law and organizer of the GoFundMe. "Their forever family home is gone, the home their children grew up in and their grandchildren were growing up in as well." Donations will help them rebuild their home and replace their belongings.

Bartender Layn Beggs: "On the night of the fire, I was bartending at Seven Grand in Los Angeles when I received word that evacuation orders had been issued for my area," Layn Beggs states on her GoFundMe page. "Later that evening, I watched in horror as live news coverage showed flames engulfing my block. I saw my apartment complex—my safe space, my sanctuary—being consumed by fire." Beggs is requesting support to replace her medications and necessities and to fund her housing costs, furniture, and emergency savings.

Podcast host and cookbook author Darin Bresnitz: Founder and host of Snacky Tunes, a podcast that connects music with food, Darin Bresnitz and his wife, Anna, lost their home in the Eaton fire. A donation will help the couple and their two children find a place to live and replace their belongings.

Restaurateurs Gail and Judah Casburn: While neighborhood watering hole Altadena Ale House survived the fire, owners Gail and Judah Casburn lost their family home. "Although they are safe, the enormous tragedy they have suffered is almost insurmountable," says Lynn Reck, organizer of the GoFundMe. "Can you support [Gail] and Judah with funds to help them get through this very difficult time?"

Marketing director and baker Shawna Dawson: Shawna Dawson, senior marketing director of Apicii Hospitality and founder of Salty Bake Studio, lost her home in the Eaton fire. "When we say we lost everything, we really lost everything — from Marcus' extensive pop culture collections to our deceased grandmother's and mother's jewelry, to the entire collection of baking supplies for my cottage bakery and irreplaceable art – it's all gone," shared Dawson in her GoFundMe description. She is asking for donations to cover the immediate expenses of the tragedy — mortgage, property taxes, necessities, and the equipment needed for her and her husband to get back to work.

Server Claire Dorotheo: Claire Dorotheo, a server at Echo Park Italian restaurant Bacetti, is left with nothing but the clothes on her back after the Altadena fire took her and her partner's home. "They need our help to rebuild their lives and regain a sense of stability during this heartbreaking time," says Rafael Cansino, who organized the GoFundMe. "Your contribution will go directly toward helping them with immediate needs like clothing, food, and temporary housing, as well as long-term expenses like finding a new place to live and replacing essential items."

Chef Travis Hayden: Travis Hayden, chef of Los Angeles wine bar Bar Etoile and founder of Cali Bolo pasta sauce lost his home in the Palisades wildfire. “I poured my heart into the space, remodeling everything myself. I did the cabinetry, the floors, cut out the sink, I reroofed it myself, even built a redwood deck with an outdoor shower during lockdown,” he wrote on his GoFundMe page. “I always said I'd never sell it in a million years and I'd always keep it in my family. My heart is broken to see it gone.” Unable to receive fire insurance, he must cover the cost of what has been destroyed. A donation towards his fundraiser will help Hayden clean the area and ultimately, rebuild his home.

Wine shop owner Nicole Lalagüe: While on vacation, sommelier Nicole Lalagüe, owner of Pasadena Wine Shop, received the news that her home and everything she owned was destroyed in the Altadena fires. "It is our time to help a friend in need just as Nicole has always done for all of us," says Kayla Sesi, who worked with Lalagüe at the wine shop. "If you can donate, a little goes a long way. My hope is that we can help relieve a fraction of the stress she is coming back to."

Bartender Eugene Lee: Eugene Lee, a bartender, photographer, and mentor in the Los Angeles hospitality community, lost his dream home in the Eaton Fire. A donation will support Lee, his wife, and their son, as they navigate a path forward.

Chef Erich Martinez: Erich Martinez, a cook at Echo Park Japanese restaurant Tsubaki, lost him home and a lifetime's worth of belongings in the Eaton Fire. He and his partner, Adam, are asking for support to "begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding [their] lives."

Sommelier Diego Meraviglia: The Palisades wildfire took the home of wine professional Diego Meraviglia and his wife, Simona. Donations will help them cover the costs of what was lost in the tragedy — replacing their belongings, finding a new home, and sharing whatever is left over with their Topanga Canyon neighbors.

Wine entrepreneur Kristin Olszewski: Kristin Olszewski, founder of boxed and canned wine company Nomadica, lost her belongings, car, and Malibu home in the Palisades wildfire. Kristen and her husband, Joey, are now in need of donations to replace what has been taken. "Kristin and Joey’s home was more than a place to live—it was a sanctuary of love, creativity, and joy," says Marta Mae, the GoFundMe's organizer. "As they face the daunting road ahead, we have an opportunity to surround them with the power of community and help them rebuild."

Busser Jaime Pacheco: The owners of Salazar, a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles' Elysian Valley, built a GoFundMe on behalf of their beloved busser and team member, Jaime Pacheco. "The fire in Altadena took everything he owns," the page states. "In this national tragedy, many are in need of help, but anything you could spare would help him get back on their feet."

Chef Travis Passerotti: The home of Travis Passerotti, chef de cuisine of Marea Beverly Hills, was taken in the Los Angeles wildfires. He and his wife, Steph, are now hoping for donations to navigate their next steps. "Their home held immense meaning — it was their sanctuary, especially for Steph during her brave and ongoing battle with cancer," says the GoFundMe's organizer Rebecca Hough-Levine. "With your generosity, however, we can help them begin the process of rebuilding their lives."

Chef Hunter Pritchett: Private chef Hunter Pritchett, his wife, Katie; and 4-year-old child, Leo, lost their home in the Altadena fire. A donation to their GoFundMe will help his family start over from scratch.

Sommelier Erin Rolek: Erin Rolek, sommelier at Sqirl, lost her apartment in the Palisades fire. Domaine LA owner Jill Bernheimer created a GoFundMe to help Rolek rebuild her life. If you're based in Los Angeles, you can also attend Rolek's Benefit Pancake Breakfast, where all proceeds will benefit Rolek and her immediate community.

Cook Lorena Sanchez: In the middle of service at Crenshaw restaurant Highly Likely, Lorena Sanchez found out that her home was on fire. The restaurant's chef, Kat Turner, is asking for donations to help Sanchez, her two children, and two cats rebuild their lives and find housing.

Sommelier Paul Sherman: Veteran sommelier and Institute of Culinary Education instructor Paul Sherman lost his home in the wildfires. His daughter, Julia, organized a GoFundMe to help Paul and her mother, Wendy, get back on their feet.

Chef Dean Yasharian: 1988 F&W Best New Chef Daniel Boulud created a GoFundMe for chef Dean Yasharian, owner of Perle Restaurant in Pasadena, California. "Dean worked with us for a decade in New York and London," says Boulud. "He had settled in Altadena, California, but just a few days ago, he lost his home, his neighbors, his children's school, and his entire daily life in his community. While Dean and his family are safe and staying strong, this emotionally, physically, and financially devastating challenge is unbearable for many." Donate to help Yasharian rebuild his home and support the Altadena community.