Detroit Restaurants Raise Money for Families Detained at the U.S.-Mexico Border

Several Detroit restaurants and bakeries are joining a national campaign to raise money for organizations that support children and families who’ve been separated as a result of a U.S. zero-tolerance immigration policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Good Cakes and Bakes, Sister Pie, and Grey Ghost are donating a portion of their sales on Saturday, June 23 to the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). The Texas-based nonprofit that provides free legal services and support to immigrant families and asylum seekers crossing the border. Good Cakes and Bakes will be donating 15 percent of its sales to the organization and Sister Pie and Grey Ghost will contribute 10 percent of sales to the fundraiser. People looking to support RAICES’s cause directly can also donate to the organization at raicestexas.org.

Likewise, Anthology Coffee in Corktown is donating 25 percent of all sales from this weekend to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project in coordination with coffee shops across the country (donations can also be made directly at the organization’s website).

The fundraising campaigns were organized in response to the Trump administration’s policy of detaining children and parents who cross the border in separate facilities. In response to growing public outrage over the enforcement, President Trump signed an executive order purportedly reversing the policy on Wednesday, June 20. However, thousands of children are remain in detention centers.

Many of the facilities and foster care agencies where these children are being held are also reportedly running low on much-needed supplies. Bethany Christian Services, a refugee center in Grand Rapids, was among those facilities requesting donations earlier this week. While donations have closed, the organization is also fundraising to support the reuniting of children separated from their parents.

This story has been updated with additional fundraising information. Do you know of a restaurant business holding a fundraiser or supply drive for immigrant children. Email the details to detroit@eater.com.

• The Family Separation Crisis at the US Border [Vox]
• RAICES Website [Official]