L.A.'s OaxaCalifornian restaurant community has been raising funds independently to help community efforts in Oaxaca after fires burned through more than 700 acres of Oaxaca's Tlacolula central valley in six days.
"The Zapotec community is working with the bare minimum equipment," wrote Felipe and Ignacio Santiago of X'tiousu Kitchen in City Terrace. "There is very minimal help from the government. Unfortunately, several people have lost their lives in this fire. Volunteers from neighboring pueblos are bringing face masks, food, flashlights, and water to San Lucas at their center square and also now to Güilá's church."
X'tiousu was one of the first L.A. restaurants to raise money since their rural community of San Pablo Güilá was affected and one of the ones that were at risk of being burned down by the fire.
Just two days after the owners started posting, they raised enough funds via their own Venmo account while posting photos of their mother and sister jumping into action, and loading a truck with basic supplies like water and tlayudas.
"What are you doing to help Oaxaca right now?" Ivan Vasquez of Madre Oaxacan restaurants asks on his Instagram account.