Detroit Restaurants and Bars Host Benefits For Hurricane Harvey Relief

As flood victims in Texas and the Gulf Coast only begin to take stock of the staggering damage resulting from Hurricane Harvey, Detroit’s bar and restaurant community are developing fundraisers to support recovery efforts. Several establishments are already offering to lend support to relief organizations:

• In Grand Circus Park, the owners of wine and cocktail bar The Royce Detroit are pledging 10 percent of their sales on Friday, September 1 to the the Global Giving Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Throughout the day, the downtown bar will also be raffling off two tickets to its upcoming “Dead or Alive” natural wine tasting featuring The Dirty Guide to Wine author Alice Feiring — a $180 value. The cost is $20 per raffle ticket.
• Also September 1, DJ Pontchartrain will be performing at Temple Bar beginning at 10 p.m. A $5 (or more) donation will be collected at the door for flood relief and Ponchartrain is also offering up their own pay from the evening to the hurricane recovery effort.
• In Clawson, Texas-style barbecue restaurant Woodpile Barbecue Shack plans to donate 25 percent of all sales on September 5 to Operation BBQ Relief and the American Red Cross.
• Metro Detroit chain Olga’s Kitchen is also pitching in with a fundraiser. From September 1 through September 4, all 26 Olga’s locations will donate 20 percent of each check to the American Red Cross.
• The Detroit Pop-Up Alliance is also rallying to help organize an event at El Club (4114 Vernor Hwy) from noon to 4 p.m. on September 10. Dr. Sushi, Detroit S.O.A.R., Potluck Kichen Detroit, The Cook’s Crossing, Brunchify, Chef Max Daley, Fat Panda Kitchen, The Grim Feeder, Simple Goodness Detroit, and Geisha Girls will be offering an all-you-can-eat experience with a minimum $15 donation at the door. Proceeds from the event will go to the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
• Gabriel Hall is popping up at Nancy Whiskey’s on September 10 with po’boys on the menu. Organizers of the event will also be collecting donations of underwear, undershirts, socks, sports bras, and sanitary napkins for the National Black United Front and money for the Texas Diaper Bank.

For those looking to give more directly to the disaster relief efforts, Vox compiled a list this week of organizations accepting donations. According to Eater Houston, chef Jose Andres is building a coalition of chefs through his World Central Kitchen nonprofit to “prepare food, serve, clean [and] help the many people in need of support through this challenging period.”

Have another Hurricane Harvey fundraiser to share? Drop a note at the tipline or share details in the comments.

Last Updated, September 6, 10:40 a.m.: Additional information about fundraisers.

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