Venezuelans in Henrico gather donations and funds to help earthquake victims
When a double earthquake struck Venezuela late Wednesday, Isabel Carruyo and Carlos Machado, the Venezuela-born owners of Sicilian Bakery, located at 9052 West Broad Street, took in the shocking images of destruction from online news sources to learn what they could about the impact of the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes.
And then they phoned family in the South American country to check on relatives, learning that one of Machado’s cousins is among the estimated 40,000 people who are missing. The death toll is in the hundreds, with many more feared dead.
With most of their family unscathed, Carruyo and Machado sprang into action and posted a social media video letting the followers of the bakery (specializing in crusty sourdough bread, French-style croissants, muffins and Venezuelan pastries) know that their store would become a repository for needed items to send to Venezuela to help people impacted by the quake heal and to continue their daily lives.
Videos in Spanish, English and Portuguese urged viewers: “Esta vez nos toca ayudar” or “This time it’s our turn to help” asking the public to pitch in and donate non-perishable food, clothing, medicine and first aid products as well as baby and sanitary items at the bakery through Sunday evening.
On Friday morning, Machado explained how the couple are making their café a collection point to help Venezuelans who have survived the earthquake.
“Right now, Venezuela doesn't have the mechanical or the technical machinery to remove [the collapsed buildings],” Machado said. “So, for that reason we are waiting for the contribution from other countries like El Salvador.”
Search and rescue teams from around the world are arriving to help in the earthquake epicenters in Caracas and La Guaira.
The humanitarian collection is part of larger effort of Venezuelans around the world.
The Sicilian Bakery that has become a collection point in Henrico County for donations to help Venezuelans impacted by the earthquakes in the South American country felt this week. (Dina Weinstein/Henrico Citizen)
Friday morning, Con Salsa Venezuelan restaurant at 3016 Mountain Road in Glen Allen, which is known for its barbeque, empanadas and arepas, also posted an appeal for items to send to the earthquake victims including first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, work gloves and feminine hygiene products.
And another Venezuelan establishment in Henrico County, Arepa Station at 10170 West Broad Street, evoked the country's flag with a yellow, red and blue themed social media post on Friday encouraging the public to donate needed items for earthquake survivors at that restaurant as well.
The Venezuelan diaspora worldwide numbers about 8 million according to the United Nations, with 1 million in the United States and an estimated thousand Venezuelans in and around Henrico County.
Machado and Carruyo said they rarely experienced earthquakes growing up in Venezuela. But Venezuelans have faced many challenges. Many have left because of economic collapse, hyperinflation, severe shortages, widespread violence and authoritarian political repression.
“We’re very sad. We are very worried,” Machado said about the impact of the earthquake. “I worry about multiple people because we are following closely. The news is very stressful, when you feel like you are in a position that you can do nothing for the people. We are far away and it's hard to us to help, for that reason, this small contribution means lot to us.”
Community members Alejandra Rodriguez (left) and Jiann Diaferia (center) dropped donations on Friday morning at Sicilian Bakery meant for Venezuelan eathquake survivors. Bakery co-owner Carlos Machado put out a sourdough basket for donations for the cost of shipping the items on Monday (right) (Dina Weinstein/Henrico Citizen)
His appeal and images from earthquake-impacted Venezuela are moving people to give.
“People here are calling me, even Brazilians, Mexicans, Americans from many countries, they are calling me to ask how they can help,” said Machado, who put out a sourdough breadbasket for cash donations to help with the shipping costs of the donations.
He said he felt happy by the response and the prospect that the broader support could concretely and quickly support Venezuelans in need.
On Friday morning, a steady stream of customers purchased pastries, coffee, juice and sourdough bread, and left bags and boxes with food, clothing and first aid items, adding to the growing pile of boxes and bags.
Arvin Delgado, a Short Pump resident with a Venezuelan background, brought four boxes of diapers and nine containers of baby wipes to contribute to the growing pile of donations.
“We just have to help people,” Delgado said. “There are a lot of people in need. The country does not have resources, but anyone can help from outside and that is doing a great thing.”
On Monday, Machado will bring the boxed-up items to an area shipping company that is coordinating with Venezuelans across Virginia and North Carolina to collect needed items. That shipping company will truck the donations to Miami and then ship them to Venezuela to organizations like the Red Cross, which are helping those who are injured or trying to simply survive.
Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
