Filipino restaurant turns into a donation hub for LA fire victims

Photos from Titos Bar and Restaurant/Facebook 

In the face of devastating wildfires that have claimed lives and destroyed 12,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County, communities are standing together in solidarity and strength.

Across the County, organizations and businesses have launched fundraising campaigns and donation drives to support relief efforts – including a Filipino restaurant in West Covina. 

Titos Bar and Restaurant has opened their space as a donation hub for the LA fire victims, including 191 displaced Filipinos.

Restaurant owner Charina Vergara spearheaded the initiative in collaboration with other Filipino Americans and local businesses in West Covina.

“Helping out in our own little way,” Vergara wrote in a social media post.

The call for donation was announced on social media on Jan. 11. The following day, Vergara was overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from community members, who brought an array of personal hygiene supplies, diapers and blankets to the restaurant.

Volunteers helped deliver the donated items to evacuation centers, including the Hilton Garden Inn Sonoma, which houses 175 families affected by the LA fires.

In addition to this initiative, the Filipino restaurant extended support to firefighters by offering them free pizzas as a token of gratitude.

Vergara expressed her gratitude on social media writing, “Thank you to those who came to donate yesterday.”

Many other Fil-Am organizations and businesses, including Jollibee, have also stepped up to help those in need, showcasing the bayanihan spirit. 

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A viral TikTok showed Jollibee employees serving Chickenjoy to victims of the LA fires.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) are working together to provide assistance to Filipinos displaced by the fires. 

PWC is setting up a donation page and doing a survey to help them connect those in need with those ready to lend a hand.