How to Help Los Angeles Restaurants Destroyed by Fires

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 and Support

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.

GoFundMe for 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.

GoFundMe for 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.

GoFundMe for 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.”

GoFundMe for 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.

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.