Kelly Montana, visibly emotional, stood outside her casual Venezuelan diner in downtown L.A., clutching photos of her parents. This marks the longest she has gone without contact with them. Montana speaks with her parents frequently, despite the distance between Los Angeles and La Guaira, Venezuela. The recent earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck west of Caracas on June 24, disrupting communication. Consequently, Montana turned her restaurant into a donation hub.
Montana’s parents were vacationing in La Guaira when the quakes hit. Over 40,600 individuals remain missing, based on a digital registry for families to report lost loved ones. The initial death toll of 600 has climbed to an estimated 2,200. This fueled Montana’s decision to facilitate donations at her eatery. Volunteers, including Lia Saba and her daughter Beverly Arbiz from Grenada Hills, and Alecia Negron from Silver Lake, helped organize and box donations. (Photo by Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Montana founded Full Arepas last year to bring a bit of Venezuela to Los Angeles. On Tuesday morning, numerous volunteers gathered to assist Montana, packaging supplies such as sanitary items and nonperishable foods delivered by passing vehicles. “Every hour, my hope remains,” Montana remarked, stressing her prayers for a miracle.
Directions for donation delivery involve Olarte Transport, which will ferry supplies from Miami to Venezuela. Volunteer Andrea Casanova, whose grandfather escaped down 13 flights of stairs with an injured leg during the quake, shared her emotional response. “I still cry after hours,” Casanova admitted.
Los Angeles hosts 6,770 Venezuelans, according to the Los Angeles Almanac. Montana and Casanova echo sentiments of many with family in Venezuela enduring dire circumstances. In Long Beach, Nova Bakery commenced operations as a donation center over the weekend. This spot collects sanitation supplies, first aid resources, and nonperishable food to be dispatched by Olarte Transport. Pierina Barboza, bakery owner from Merida, Venezuela, believes unity is essential. “We hope the donations aid evacuees and young children,” Barboza commented.
Even after primary collections closed, Alviany Dominguez contributed canned food. His family originates from Zulia, Venezuela’s largest state. “Despite the massive damage, every little help counts,” Dominguez affirmed.
Barboza aims to continue utilizing social media to foster resource sharing and organize future aid endeavors. “We’ll serve as a help center, no matter how small my efforts may seem,” Barboza stated.
Across Pasadena, Amara Cafe, led by Amara Barroeta, dedicated 70% of Tuesday’s profits to Global Giving. This nonprofit delivers emergency aid to Venezuela. Barroeta shared that the fundraiser’s popular dish was the arepa pabellón, a staple in Venezuelan cuisine. “Venezuelans sought familiar flavors,” Barroeta explained.
The restaurant offered more than food; it provided a comforting space for the local Venezuelan community to share their grief. “We needed emotional support,” Barroeta remarked. She noted the unique sentiment felt by Venezuelans that many struggle to comprehend.
The donation site at Full Arepas is still active, receiving a steady flow of supplies. Montana continues her search for her parents in tandem with international rescue teams examining La Guaira’s collapsed infrastructure. “I am optimistic about finding them, regardless of their condition,” Montana stated.
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