ChowNow Restaurant Partners Step Up for LA Fire Relief
Los Angeles has always been a city defined by its resilience, but the recent wildfires have tested its strength in unimaginable ways. Entire neighbourhoods have been uprooted, leaving families displaced and communities in need of urgent support.
As first responders work tirelessly to contain the fires and protect lives, local businesses have stepped up to provide essential aid in whatever ways they can.
Among these heroes are restaurants—community cornerstones that not only serve as gathering spaces in normal times but also become lifelines during crises.
Many of ChowNow’s restaurant partners have gone above and beyond, offering meals to evacuees, first responders, and those in need. Through creative fundraising efforts, community meal programs, and sheer determination, these restaurants prove that the hospitality industry is about much more than food—it’s about showing up when it matters most.
Our goal is to shine a light on the incredible efforts of our partners and how they’ve rallied to support their neighbours during this challenging time. From feeding firefighters to organizing donation drives, their stories demonstrate the powerful impact of community care and collaboration.
Restaurant Partners Making a Difference in the LA Fire Relief Efforts
The ChowNow restaurant partners on this list have demonstrated the unbelievable power of food to bring people together and provide comfort in times of need, transforming their restaurants into hubs of community care and relief.
Sunday Gravy
Long-time Italian food staple of Inglewood, Sunday Gravy launched a $20 donation program to provide comforting meals—Spaghetti Marinara or Bolognese, Caesar salad, and garlic bread—to those impacted by the fires. Sunday Gravy took donations through their Venmo and raised enough money to feed over 1,000 people in a handful of days. @sunday.gravy
Pizzana
Known for their elevated take on Neapolitan pizza, Pizzana has become a staple in Los Angeles’ dining scene with several locations throughout the city. During the LA fires, they demonstrated their commitment to the community by donating 100% of their profits from an entire weekend (Jan 11-12) to support fire relief efforts. They also personally delivered a large donation of pizzas, lasagnas, salads, and bread to the airborne division of the LA Fire Department. @pizzana
Cafecita
A women-owned specialty coffee roaster and cafe based in the Burbank area fully understood the importance of keeping spirits and energy up with the power of coffee. Cafecita donated a weekend’s worth of drip coffee sales to the CA Fire Foundation. They also offered customers a discounted 96oz coffee carafe for $17 that would be delivered to first responders. So far, Cafecita has donated almost 2,000 cups of coffee to aid in fire relief. ChowNow is honored to have partnered with Cafecita to set up a brewing station in our office space for first responders – a small token of our appreciation to support those on the frontlines. We’re honored to contribute to their tireless efforts. Cafecita also used their social media platforms to encourage customers to donate to 10 different restaurants serving community meals. These donations pay for the food and dry goods restaurants need to continue serving free meals to those affected by the fire. @cafecitacoffee
Ronan
A modern Italian-inspired restaurant on Melrose celebrated for its wood-fired pizzas, Ronan took action during the LA fires by creating a program that allowed customers to give back directly. Patrons could donate Caesar salads for $9 or pizzas for $12 by ordering it for pickup—then the Ronan team would deliver the food themselves to first responders and evacuees. As of 1/17, Ronan posted that they have delivered 100 pizzas and 38 salads through their ChowNow platform and said to their customers in an Instagram post, “Thank you for stepping up and showing us how much you value Ronan as part of your community.” @ronan_la
Valerie Confections
Renowned for their artisanal chocolates and baked goods, Valerie Confections extended their kindness beyond their craft by participating in community relief stations. They provided food and drinks to first responders and individuals affected by the fires, offering a comforting touch during a time of uncertainty and hardship. On January 11th, their team “fed over 200 people and distributed directly to families in Alta Dena and Pacific Palisades and the LAFD in Sierra Madre, Pasadena and Alhambra.” @thevalerieconfections
Spoon & Pork
Known for its Filipino comfort food, Spoon & Pork stepped up during the LA fires by accepting Venmo donations to fund free meals for first responders and those affected. Their efforts ensured that those on the frontlines and in need could enjoy hearty, nourishing dishes during a brutal time. On January 11th, they posted these heartwarming words: “After delivering meals and supplies, we’ve seen that many fire stations and evacuation centers are now overwhelmed with donations and food. It’s incredible to witness the people of LA coming together in such a powerful and inspiring way. Your kindness and generosity remind us what community is all about.” @spoonandpork
Genghis Cohen
A long-standing LA favorite blending Szechuan Chinese cuisine with a New York attitude, Genghis Cohen made a significant impact by using Venmo donations to feed nearly 1,000 people affected by the fires through local firehouses, World Central Kitchen, LA Family Housing, and many more. Their commitment to the community continues to grow as they explore the possibility of launching a dedicated community meals program to provide even more support. Ghenghis Cohen has a very active live music scene where they will hold a Fire Relief Fundraiser, with all ticket and merch profits going to help people who are 20% or below their GoFundMe goals. @genghiscohenla
Yuca’s
A cherished family-owned eatery known for its authentic Mexican dishes, Yuca’s responded to the LA fires by offering community meals to those in need. They also turned their Los Feliz and Pasadena locations into donation collection hubs. To their followers, they posted, “We’re delivering hot meals to our first responders and shelters. Stay safe familia, it’s been heavy but together the load gets lighter to bear.” @yucasla
Maple Block
Known for their expertly smoked barbecue and classic comfort dishes, Maple Block joined the relief efforts by offering meal packages that included a burger, fries, and a drink. Their initiative was made even more impactful through product donations, such as cheese from partners like @eatnewschool. Maple Block took a massive food donation to the fire workers at Camp 16 who were working 24-hour shifts. @mapleblockmeatco
Superba
Cafe, bakery, and neighborhood meet-up spot Superba started by offering complimentary meals to those in need. Between the four restaurant locations, they’ve served nearly $15,000 worth of food to the LAFD, first responders, community centers, donation sites, emergency shelters, and emergency response centers—a truly phenomenal achievement to help their community. @lifesuperba
Partners Supporting Relief Efforts Through Complimentary Meals
We wanted to give a special thank you to the ChowNow partners making a difference by donating complimentary meals to first responders and those in need.
Harold & Belle’s
A piece of New Orleans in Los Angeles, Harold & Belle’s donated their fabulous creole food to heroes and families in need. @haroldandbellesrestaurant
Milo & Olive
A bakery and pizzeria staple in LA, Milo & Olive encouraged first responders to stop by for a free pizza and for those struggling with food security to DM them on Instagram. @miloandolive
Simpang Asia
Serving authentic Indonesian comfort food, Simpang Asia is offering free meals to all first responders and firefighters through January. @simpangasia
Alta Adams
An amazing soul food restaurant, Alta Adams, hosted donation drops at their location, filling their dining room and patio area to capacity with so many of the things people need but take for granted. They also started AltaCommunity, a non-profit dedicated to empowering the community through food. @altarestaurant
A Special Thanks to Our Industry Partners
While restaurants played a significant role in fire relief efforts, several other groups also stepped in to make a huge difference. We wanted these teams to get the recognition they deserve for the effort they’ve put forth to help the Los Angeles community.
IndustryOnly LA
An amazing event organizer focusing on the culinary world, IndustryOnly LA set up a PayPal link so anyone can donate, with all the money being sent directly to restaurants as they continue to support their community and employees. @industryonlyla
inKind
inKind helps diners by offering an app where they can purchase restaurant credits, enjoy bonuses, and seamlessly pay their bills while supporting their favorite local spots. inKind created fire relief gift cards. Proceeds from these cards were directed to local restaurants, providing much-needed financial support to keep their doors open and continue their relief efforts. @inkind_hospitality
How You Can Help With Relief Efforts
The ChowNow team has been overwhelmingly stunned and inspired by the amount of love, support, and charity poured forth from the partners we are so lucky and grateful to work with every day. In the spirit of their generosity, we’ve also decided to take steps to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires.
ChowNow has donated $5,000 each to Sunday Gravy and World Central Kitchen to deliver hot meals to displaced families and first responders, reached out to the County of Los Angeles to explore using our office space for community support, and initiated talks with Habitat for Humanity to assist with rebuilding efforts when the time comes. We’ve also reached out to all of our potentially impacted restaurant partners to let them know: we’re in this together.
It’s important to remember that the effects of this disaster will be felt for years to come. Displaced families and impacted businesses will face ongoing challenges as they work to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. By coming together as a community—whether through donations, volunteering, or supporting local initiatives—we can help ensure that no one has to navigate this recovery process alone.
Here are four suggestions on how you can make a difference in the face of this tragedy:
1. Make a financial donation to a restaurant or organization.
One of the most direct ways to help is by donating to restaurants or organizations supporting fire relief efforts. Your contribution ensures they can continue providing meals, supplies, and assistance to those in need. Some donation hubs don’t have the space for more physical donations, so the most effective way to help is with a monetary contribution.
2. Purchase a community meal through one of our restaurant partners or anyone taking donations.
Many restaurants are offering community meal programs, allowing you to purchase meals that will be delivered to first responders or evacuees. This not only supports the restaurants financially but also directly aids those impacted by the fires.
3. Volunteer your time or donate items.
Consider donating essential items, such as clothing, non-perishable food, or toiletries, to local shelters and donation centers—phone ahead or look online to see if they’re still taking donations. Volunteering your time to organize or distribute supplies is another meaningful way to make a difference because sometimes, all they need is more hands to keep things moving.
4. Join in on the Great Los Angeles Dine Out Event on January 29th
LA’s restaurant scene has been hit hard after the recent fires. Business is down 50%, and workers are facing reduced hours and lost wages. On Wednesday, January 29, we’re asking everyone in LA to go out for at least one meal, take a photo of your food and post it on social media with #TheGreatLosAngelesDineOut. For every post using the hashtag, sponsors, including ChowNow, will donate $5 (up to $85,000) to Restaurants Care, a charity supporting restaurant workers affected by the fires. Can’t make it out? You can still make a difference by placing a takeout order on ChowNow.com, the ChowNow app or any other ordering app, supporting local restaurants while earning a donation for each hashtagged post.
If you would like to learn more about what you can do to help, follow us on Instagram.
