:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57091173/petitcrenn_firesandos.0.jpg)
In the wake of deadly and devastating fires in Northern California, restaurants in San Francisco are pitching in to do what they can to help displaced friends and neighbors in wine country and beyond. If you are a business owner or manager looking for ways to get involved, below is a list of options that will be continually updated.
The Alembic is currently accepting donations of food, blankets, clothing, medical supplies, and pet food (for both domestic animals and livestock) from now until closing on Friday. The Alembic is located at at 1725 Haight Street and donations can be dropped off anytime from noon until the bar closes at 2 a.m. Chef Rachel Aronow plans to bring donated items up North starting Saturday morning and the donation drive may be extended if need be. The damage hit particularly close to home for Aronow: Fires outside of Santa Rosa completely wiped out the farm where she grew up, along with about 70 horses there.
In Hayes Valley this morning, a legion of volunteers also convened at Petit Crenn to help feed displaced victims. As one hopeful volunteer noted on Instagram, Chef Dominique Crenn’s call for volunteers resulted in such an outpouring of support that some folks were asked to return later once the initial surge of support dies down.
In Santa Rosa, the city’s official Twitter account put out a call for “licensed and available food truck vendors” from across the Bay Area to help out in areas that are currently without power. More information in the tweet, embedded here:
The City of Santa Rosa EOC is seeking licensed and available food truck vendors. Please contact the EOC Logistics Officer at 543-4273
— City of Santa Rosa (@CityofSantaRosa) October 10, 2017
The Chronicle also reports that Equator Coffee, which has several employees from the affected areas, is partnering with Urban Remedy and Flour Craft Bakery to bring coffee and pastries to the emergency shelter at the Marin County Civic Center.
Meanwhile, in downtown Napa, where some buildings still have power and water, Compline Wine Bar partner Matt Stamp reports that the restaurant has been cooking for firefighters working in the area.
Finally, in Yountville, Chef Thomas Keller vowed to “support and provide sustenance and comfort to those in the area” despite the currently limited resources. The French Laundry is closed, but Keller’s Bouchon Bakery will be open “as long as we need to be.”
