Here's What NOLA’s Food Community Is Doing to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

Relief Efforts for Hospitality and Service Industry Workers

The Louisiana Restaurant Association and co-proprietor Ti Martin of Commander's Palace have teamed up with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to activate the Hurricane Harvey Hospitality Employee Relief Fund. The relief fund will donate individual grants to area restaurant and hotel workers who are in need. “After Hurricane Katrina, the Houston community was there for New Orleans and we'll never forget it. Today, we are returning the favor,” says Martin.

Alex Brennan-Martin of Brennan’s of Houston started the New Orleans Hospitality Workers Disaster Relief Fund, which raised and gave away over a million dollars in small grants to help individuals in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Brennan-Martin is hopeful, and believes that with the support of those in the industry and across the country, Houston will recover.

“As someone who has been part of the Houston community for 30-years now, I know that we are resilient, and will rebound stronger than ever. We’ll put the money from the fund to good use, helping restaurant and hotel workers in need during this difficult time,” says Brennan-Martin.

Meanwhile, superstar chef, Alon Shaya, and Emily Shaya are throwing a red beans and rice dinner on Labor Day to raise money for service industry and hospitality workers that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Tickets are $100 and the event is open to the public. Here’s the full story.

Food Donations

Second Harvest Food Bank is taking donations for those affected by Hurricane Harvey at these three locations and times:

• The main warehouse and facility, 700 Edwards Avenue in the Elmwood Warehouse District area, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
• The Lafayette warehouse and facility, 215 E. Pinhook Road, Lafayette, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
• The Northshore Food Bank, 840. North Columbia Street, Covington, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday. [FOX 8]

Additionally, Susan Spicer's restaurants Mondo and Rosedale will both serve as donation drop-off spots for Second Harvest Food Bank. For those who donate at her restaurants or bring a receipt of donating elsewhere, Spicer has a free Texas drink special featuring Texas brands Tito’s Vodka, Shiner Bock, and Saint Arnold. [GAMBIT]

French Quarter restaurant Angeline is also giving those with a donation receipt a free drink made with Texas products. [GAMBIT]

With Love From New Orleans

A number of New Orleans restaurants have banded together to accept and distribute gift cards to those in the hospitality industry affected by Hurricane Harvey. Here’s more information and a list of restaurants accepting gift cards. [ENOLA]

A Benefit For the Houston Red Cross

Cure NOLA is teaming up with Pableaux Johnson for a red beans, cornbread, and cocktails fundraiser to benefit the Red Cross of Houston this Saturday, September 2 from noon to 3 p.m. More info here.

Cajun Navy and Cajun Gravy

While the Cajun Navy is in Houston rescuing people, the Cajun Gravy is making sure first responders are fed well — like jambalaya well. Here’s the full story.

Eat, Drink, and Donate

Several restaurants have committed to donating a portion of their days’ proceeds to various charities helping with hurricane relief. For example, for every day Pizza Delicious is open next week, the restaurant will donate 10% of all sales (11am-11pm) towards Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery. Each day's recipient of funds will be a different organization that has boots on the ground in the greater Houston area. Here’s the donation schedule at Pizza D.

9/5 Tuesday - Texas Diaper Bank

9/6 Wednesday - SPCA of Houston

9/7 Thursday - Houston Emergency Aid Coalition

9/8 Friday - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston

9/9 Saturday - Houston Food Bank

9/10 Sunday - Team Rubicon

Also, Ace Hotel New Orleans has added a house margarita to its menus at Alto, Josephine Estelle, Seaworthy, and its Lobby Bar. Ace Hotel New Orleans will donate $1 from each margarita sold in the month of September to the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.

MORE READING

• Tracking Hurricane Harvey's Impact on Houston Restaurants [EATER HOUSTON]
• Which Houston Restaurants Are Open After Hurricane Harvey? [EATER HOUSTON]