In the wake of this week's massive explosion in Beirut, several Vancouver-based restaurants and food businesses have launched fundraising campaigns to aid in relief for Lebanon.
"We have always believed in the power of community," says Vancouver's JamJar Canteen, a "folk"-sytle Lebanese eatery with three Metro locations (UBC, North Vancouver Shipyards, Commercial Drive). In a demonstration of the spirit of community, JamJar is offering to match customer donations, up to $3000, at all their locations from August 7 to 14.
Guests can make donations while dining in or picking up to-go orders from JamJar. Their homestyle eats include hummus and other dips, hot and cold mezze plates, salads, and wraps.
Vancouver restaurateurs tied to Lebanon, however, feel optimistic about the future of Beirut. "It will rise again like the Pheonix. Like it always did," say the owners of East Van's Aleph Eatery. The small, modern Middle Eastern and plant-based restaurant is marking the return of their popular brunch service by turning 100% of their profits over to Impact Lebanon and Beit El Baraka. "These two funds are helping with emergency shelter relief, rehabilitating homes and accompanying families with rebuilding their lives," explains the restaurant.
Photo: Aleph EateryAleph's brunch fundraiser takes place Friday, August 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their all-vegan brunch offerings include sweet or savoury pancakes, wraps, beet hummus toast, a "Feast for Two" platter, and more.
Longtime Vancouver Lebanese restaurant Nuba will mark International Beer Day (which is August 7) with a "Buy-One-Give-One" promotion on their Turmeric Ale. Running Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9 at any of Nuba's four Vancouver locations (Gastown, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and Yaletown), guests can purchase a pint of the house special Turmeric Ale for $7.95 and will get a complimentary second pint to give to a friend or fellow brew lover.
While it may be tempting to hoist as few as possible to maximize your donations and your bonus pints, the offer is limited to one per guest per day. Proceeds from purchases of the beer will be donated to the Lebanese Red Cross.
Lastly, while @asianhabibtii had been running a fundraising bake sale via Instagram, with proceeds from sales of her blueberry loaf and cinnamon rolls, the Vancouver vendor has sold out, and is encouraging donations be made directly to the Lebanese Food Bank.
"We are all in this together! The power of our humanity will win always!" adds Aleph Eatery.
