Dear Readers:

Today, I am pausing my usual “Friday’s Five” post to address a pressing issue that has deeply affected our community: the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Over the last couple of days, I could see the flames of the fires looking up towards Pacific Palisades from my office (picture above is from my office overlooking LAX north towards Pacific Palisades), and the impact has been profound. I feel compelled to share how we can come together to support those in need.

Over the past couple of days, we have been actively coordinating food and clothing donations to help those affected by the fires. This effort has been made possible with the incredible support of restaurants and vendors such as Gavina Coffee, Lazy Dog Cafe, The Red Chickz. Shamrock Foods, Sunrise Produce, Marmalade Cafe, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Wurstkuche, and many others. Their generosity has been overwhelming. In addition, many others have been asking how they can contribute.

The hospitality industry, in particular, has been hit hard. Many restaurants and businesses have burned down, leaving countless individuals without a means to make a living. In light of this, I want to draw attention to Restaurants Care, a non-profit organization I serve on the board of, which is dedicated to providing immediate assistance to these workers through a special relief fund.

Every dollar we contribute can make a significant difference:

  • A line cook can keep food on their table.
  • A server can make rent while they’re out of work.
  • A dishwasher can rebuild after unimaginable loss.

This cause is incredibly close to my heart, and I believe that together, we can make a substantial impact. Whether it’s $10 or $100, every donation will go directly to helping those in need. Let’s come together and make a difference. Click here to donate.

Thank you for joining me in supporting the people who care for all of us through their work.

Warm regards,

Anthony Zaller